MADISON, Wis. -- Visiting Alverno College lost its Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference opener to Edgewood College, 59-44, Thursday evening in the Todd Wehr Edgedome.

Julie Gallegos opened the game with a 3-point basket to give the Inferno (1-2, 0-1 NACC) a 3-0 lead, but the host Eagles (1-2, 1-0) responded with the next seven points and remained ahead the rest of the way.

A Mollie Mikyska jumper pulled Alverno within two, 18-16, but Edgewood would use a 15-0 run to pull away from the visitors. Each time the Inferno closed the gap to single digits the Eagles had an answer and maintained a comfortable lead most of the second half.

Edgewood had a slight 42-38 advantage in rebounds and shot marginally better -- 2.5 percent -- from the field, but Alverno turned the ball over eight more times which led to 16 points off turnovers for the Eagles.

Mikyska recorded her second double-double in three games with game-highs of 21 points and 17 rebounds, which was also a career-high mark on the glass.

Tessa Mersberger added a career-high 10 points for Alverno while Gallegos chipped in nine.

Mariah Hill and Rachel Pope led the Eagles with 13 points apiece.

The Inferno hits the middle of its season-opening seven-game road swing on Saturday as it takes on the University of Wisconsin-Platteville in a nonconference affair. Tipoff is set for 3 p.m.