FOND DU LAC, Wisconsin -- Visiting Alverno College defeated Marian University, 72-69, for its fifth victory in the past six games Saturday afternoon inside Sadoff Gymnasium.

Gabby Hood nailed a 3-point basket with 53 seconds left to put the Inferno up, 70-66, and the visitors held on for the victory.  The Sabres hit a 3-pointer on their next possession to cut the lead to one, but Donna Zehner made both free throws to secure Alverno's three-point win at Marian.

The Inferno (9-10, 9-5 Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference) won the team's fifth contest in the last six games while the Sabres (3-15, 2-11 NACC) lost their fifth straight.

The first half was closely contested as neither team could extend the lead by more than two possessions. Alverno took its biggest lead of the half, five points with 1:36 left, on a Hood steal and fast-break layup, but Marian hit a 3 on their final possession for the 33-31 Inferno advantage at intermission.

The Inferno extended its lead to eight with 33 seconds left in the third quarter but another Sabres' trey on their last possession of the period made it 53-48.

Midway through the fourth quarter Alverno went up 10, but Marian chipped away and cut the lead to 67-66 before Hood's 3-pointer gave the Inferno the four-point cushion and Zehner made both her free throws.

Hood led Alverno with 20 points on 8-of-16 shooting while Zehner added 17, Mollie Mikyska added 16 and Karli Selear chipped in nine.

Hood also snagged a game-best eight rebounds and added four assists.

The Inferno shot 43 percent from the floor and held a slight 44-41 edge on the glass.

The Sabres were led by Brandi Bender's game-high 22 points on 10-of-21 shooting.

Alverno continues this two-game road swing Wednesday night at Dominican University. Tipoff is at 7 p.m. down in River Forest, Illinois.