Box Score

MADISON, Wis. – Five years has been a long time, but the Edgewood College women's basketball program picked up their first postseason victory since 2009 with a 63-45 win over Benedictine University. With the win in the quarterfinal round of the NACC Tournament, the fourth-seeded Eagles advance to a semifinal showdown with top seed Wisconsin Lutheran College on Tuesday night.

Edgewood College (15-11) threatened to run Benedictine University right back on to their bus to start the game. Brooke McBain scored nine of the Eagles first 12 points, interrupted only by a Rachel Pope three-point basket. Chelsey Watkins then scored on the fast break, Courtney Spangler banked home a post move, and Benedictine called timeout reeling under a 16-2 start for Edgewood College.

Bendictine University (12-14) recovered enough to get the lead back to single digits. Meghan Novak and Michelle Batty hit three-point baskets to pull Benedictine within 27-21. However, with two seconds remaining in the half, the Eagles inbounded to McBain who threw to Dareon Henderson at the top of the key. Henderson, a senior post player, rattled home her first career three-pointer to put Edgewood College up 30-21.

However, the Eagles weren't going to be denied in the second half. After Nicole Botich scored for Benedictine, Edgewood College exploded for a 14-4 run to push their advantage to 44-27. Watkins had five points and Pope hit another three-pointer on the run. Benedictine never got closer than 12 points the rest of the way, to register head coach Casey Plucinski's first career postseason win.

McBain led all scorers with 16 points on 6-for-10 shooting, while Pope added 13 points including three three-point baskets. Watkins finished with 11 points and shared team-high assists honors with Mariah Hill with four helpers. Spangler had eight point and lead all Eagles with seven rebounds. Edgewood College had 15 assists to just 12 turnovers.

Benedictine University, with no players in double figures, were led by Novak with eight points. Botich added six points and five rebounds. Benedictine shot just 37 percent from the field and while Edgewood College defensive pressure forced them into 23 turnovers.

The Eagles will play in their first NACC Tournament semifinal game since 2009 on Tuesday night at the REX in Milwaukee. Edgewood College and Wisconsin Lutheran College will get underway at 7:00 p.m. with a trip to the tournament championship game on the line.