RIVER FOREST, Illinois -- Alverno College let a 10-point lead slip away, but was able to hold off host Concordia University Chicago for a 63-59 win at Geiseman Gymnasium Wednesday evening in Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference play.

A Karli Selear 3-pointer put the Inferno up, 47-37, midway through the third quarter for the largest lead of the game and would end the period ahead, 50-42. The Cougars (9-6, 8-4 NACC) cut into the visitors' lead and would pull ahead, 57-56, on a trey with 3:35 to play.

Gabby Hood would score on two occasions in the final 2:38 to give Alverno (7-9, 7-4) a two-point cushion on each instance and Katelyn Bartlett made the final field goal of the contest with 24 seconds left on the clock to secure the Inferno's third-straight win.

The Alverno defense held the NACC scoring leaders to 12 points under their season average and dominated the glass, 52-31.

The Inferno offense stayed hot and shot over 40 percent from the floor for the second consecutive game and third time this season.

Both squads struggled from the free-throw line as Alverno was just 6-of-13 and Concordia Chicago just 5-of-10.

Hood posted a team-high 18 points to go along with eight rebounds and four assists. Donna Zehner added 16 points and eight rebounds and Bartlett recorded a double-double with 14 points and a game-best 10 rebounds while tallying a career-high four blocks on the defensive end of the floor.

Taylor Jacobsen led CUC with 21 points on 8-of-15 shooting, and Crystal Corr added 10 for the hosts.

The second series sweep of the season also provides a tie-breaker over the Cougars, who are just a half-game ahead for fifth place in the league standings.

Alverno returns home for its next contest versus Aurora University Tuesday inside Reiman Gymnasium.