AURORA, IL - After starting slow playing a fourth game in a week, the Benedictine University women's basketball team pulled away in the second half to capture the NACC South Division Championship.

FINAL SCORE
Benedictine 68, Aurora 41

THE DETAILS
• Aurora built a 7-0 lead as Benedictine struggled from the floor
• Reggie Much scored the first two points on a pair of free throws
• All six points in the opening quarter came on free throws as Benedictine trailed 7-6
• The first field goal did not drop until Allison Michalski connected on a jumper with 5:56 left in the half
• Elisa Diorio tied the game moments later with a layup to make the score 12-12
• Two free throws from Hanna Piro put Benedictine ahead for the first time at 16-14 with 2:47 left in the second quarter
• Much scored the final four points of the half as Benedictine closed on a 6-0 run to take a 22-16 lead into the break
• Aurora, playing for the first time in 10 days, hung around in the third quarter before a Britney Pitzer three-pointer made the score 44-35 at the end of the third
• A three from Much with 7:30 to play extended the lead to double figures at 49-37
• A pair of Brianna Lake free throws opened a 19-0 run as Benedictine pushed the lead out to 68-38 with just over three minutes left and the team eased to a fourth win in a week to reach the minimum number of required games played a snatch the top seed in the South Division
• Benedictine has won 29 consecutive regular season conference games

STAT LEADERS
• After failing to make a field goal on 13 attempts in the first quarter, Benedictine shot over 50 percent in the second half and finished the game at 35.6 percent
• Benedictine held a 49-40 edge on the glass and scored 28 points in the paint
• Diorio and Lake both finished with 14 points
• Much and Michalski each added a dozen
• Piro reeled in nine rebounds while dishing seven assists

UP NEXT
Benedictine (4-0, 4-0 NACC) is the top seed in the South Division Tournament and will open play on Thursday night at 7:00 p.m. against Concordia Chicago.