MADISON, Wis. – Clearly the Edgewood College women's basketball team just needed to get into Northern Athletics Conference play to find their shooting groove. After struggling to score through four tough non-conference games against high quality opponents, the Eagles have blossomed in conference play. This time, Edgewood College burned Aurora University with 11 three-point baskets for an 88-80 victory at Jam the Gym in the Edgedome.
Edgewood College (2-4, 2-0 NAC) played so well in the second half, it's easy to forget the Eagles trailed at halftime. Aurora University (2-4, 1-2 NAC) turned a slim 17-16 lead into a 34-25 with a five minute run late in the first half. The Spartans hit four three-point baskets on the run including two from Bethany Dorrington. However, the Eagles stayed close by hitting six of nine three-point shots of their own. Senior Alison Tobin hit two three-pointers as eight different scored in the first half. Still the Eagles trailed 38-32 heading into the break.
It didn't take the Eagles long to gain control of the game. Rachel Pope scored a basket and a free throw, before Chelsey Watkins tied the game with a three-point basket. After Ciara Marlow scored for Aurora, Mariah Hill put Edgewood College ahead for the first time since the 10 minute mark of the first half with another three-point basket to put the Eagles up 41-40.
The Eagles were holding on to a 46-44 lead when Watkins seized control. First, a pair of free throws put Edgewood College up by four. After Tobin converted a three-point play Watkins drilled another three-pointer for a 54-46 lead. Aurora climbed back within two points at 56-54 with 11 minutes to go, before a 9-0 run, including a pair of buckets from Hill put the Eagles ahead 65-54.
The Spartans got back within 72-69, before Watkins delivered the final dagger. Tobin scored a pair of free throws before Watkins lit up the Edgedome with back-to-back three-point baskets for an 80-69 Eagle lead with 3:21 left to play. Hill hit three free throws down the stretch to seal the Eagles' second straight victory.
Tobin matched a career-high with 21 points to lead the Eagles. Tobin has scored 21 points in each of the Eagles two home games this year. Watkins smashed her career-high scoring 20 points including her four three-point baskets. Her previous career-high was a 13-point effort in the season finale at Rockford last year. Saturday's game marked the first time in four seasons that two Eagles scored 20 points or more in the same game. Watkins and Tobin shared team-high rebound honors with seven boards apiece. Hill scored 16 points off the bench and picked off three steals.
Edgewood College shot 62.5 percent (11-for-17) from the three-point line, bettering both their percentage from two-point range and the free throw line. The Eagles also had 21 assists, led by Watkins with five, for their most assists since January 23, 2010.
Edgewood College faces a challenging three game week starting next Tuesday with a home game against NAC North Division favorite Concordia University Wisconsin. Tuesday's game begins at 7:00 and can be seen live on EdgewoodCollegeEagles.com.