LISLE, Ill. - The Benedictine University women's basketball team improved to 6-0 in conference play by returning to action with a 63-50 victory over Marian on Saturday afternoon.

Benedictine overcame a slow start in the contest. Marian scored the first eight points of the game. Meghan Novak opened the scoring for Benedictine with 17:32 to play in the first, knocking down a three-pointer. Novak connected on four threes in the game. Trailing 13-8 with 14:54 remaining in the first, Benedictine opened a long scoring run with a free throw from Jasma Williams. The Eagles netted 10 consecutive points, holding the visitors off the board for nearly nine minutes.

Following a Shannon Ryan three-pointer, Vincenza Ranallo dropped in a pair of free throws at the 9:41 mark to hand Benedictine the lead at 14-13. The run ended with a layup from Elizabeth Skaggs, making the score 18-13 with 6:54 remaining.

Marian responded with five straight points to tie the game with 5:28 left. Benedictine ripped off 11 in a row to grab control of the contest. Alanna Ferry opened the spurt by completing a three-point play. Novak finished a three-point play with :47 to play in the half, making the score 29-18. Benedictine led 29-20 at the break despite shooting just 27 percent from the floor in the half.

Marian came out of the half strong, taking the lead at 32-31 just over four minutes into the second. Benedictine again mustered a response, rattling off 12 straight to assume control. A layup from Briana Hamilton opened the run. Ryan converted on a layup with 12:05 remaining to put Benedictine ahead 43-32. The visitors were able to scrap within seven points with 9:05 left, but Benedictine quickly assumed a double-digit lead and opened as big as a 14-point edge down the stretch.

Benedictine held a 47-37 advantage on the glass. The Eagles turned the ball over just nine times in the game. Novak led all scorers with 23 points in the contest, a season high. Ranallo contributed 12, adding 10 rebounds and five assists.

Benedictine (6-5, 6-0), winners of six straight contests, travels to preseason NACC favorite Wisconsin Lutheran on Tuesday night.