MADISON, Wis. – After getting trumped 72-41 by Concordia University Wisconsin earlier this season, the Edgewood College women's basketball team welcomed the Falcons to the Edgedome with opening wings, eager for chance at revenge. The Eagles owned a 10-point advantage with just 9:09 to play, but could not hang on to the lead and fell 66-64 to halt their four-game winning streak.
After swapping baskets early, Edgewood College (7-10, 7-5 NACC) began to sway the crowd their way as Brooke Negus drained a three-pointer and Brooke McBain sunk a free throw to put the Eagles up 18-11. Jessica House hit back-to-back triples to cut the Falcons deficit to one, but Courtney Spangler and Rachel Pope hit jumpers to extend Edgewood College's advantage to five. With just 33 seconds remaining in the half, Pope converted two free throws to put the Eagles up six and Mariah Hillswooped in for a steal then found McBain who gave Edgewood College a 33-25 advantage at the break.
The Eagles stretched their lead to double digits early in the second half as a layup by Pope at 14:05 put Edgewood College up 12, but the Falcons responded quickly. Concordia Wisconsin rattled off a 13-5 run to make the score 55-53 in favor of the Eagles but Chelsey Watkins and Spangler connected for four straight free throws, putting Edgewood College back up by six. The Falcons (15-1, 12-1 NACC) then earned their first lead in nearly 30 minutes of action as Jessica House hit a jumper to make the score 60-59 and Anna Butler added two free throws with 40 seconds remaining to give the Falcons a three-point advantage. After an Eagle turnover forced Edgewood College to foul, Katie Luethe put Concordia Wisconsin up by five with two more at the line. Hill ended a six minute drought, hitting a triple with just 19 seconds on the clock and after the Falcons hit one of two free throws, Pope's jumper at 0:09 pulled the Eagles within one. Luethe hit one of two free throws and Edgewood College had one more chance, but Pope's runner with two seconds left caromed off the rim.
Edgewood College shot 52.4 percent in the first half, but was just 10-of-31 (32.7%) after halftime. Meanwhile, Concordia Wisconsin shot 50 percent in the second half and was 12-for-17 at the line in the final 20 minutes after missing their only two attempts in the first half.
Pope led the Eagles with 16 points and seven rebounds while Spangler joined her in double figures with 11 points and also seven boards. Hill contributed nine points, three assists, two boards, and four steals while Allie Novitske had nine points and three assists off the bench.
Edgewood College will look to bounce back this weekend as they host Dominican University in the second game of a double header. Game time is scheduled for 4:15 p.m. with live stats and video available.