MILWAUKEE, WI - The Benedictine University women's basketball team fell for the first time in conference play, dropping a tight contest with undefeated conference favorite Wisconsin Lutheran.

FINAL SCORE
Wisconsin Lutheran 63, Benedictine 60

THE DETAILS
- Benedictine made just three field goals in the opening quarter but hung around as neither team was able to lead by more than two early
- Wisconsin Lutheran scored the final six points of the quarter to open a 14-9 lead after one
- The advantage swelled to eight early in the second
- Trailing by seven points NACC Player of the Week Claire Gibler scored five straight points and Hanna Piro added a free throw as Benedictine pulled within 21-20 at the 3:48 mark of the second
- Brilan McCory scored five points in the final minute as Benedictine went into the half down 29-27
- The hosts opened a 38-29 edge just before the midpoint of the third
- A 6-0 run brought Benedictine within 38-35
- McCory opened a run of nine straight with a pair of free throws and Jordan Carlquist put Benedictine ahead for the first time since early in the game at 41-40 with two free throws
- Brianna Lake put Benedictine up 50-48 with seven minutes left but Wisconsin Lutheran scored the next nine to open a 57-50 lead
- Lake tied the game with a triple at the 1:27 mark, capping a 7-0 run but Wisconsin Lutheran forced a pair of turnovers after a basket to pull ahead
- Britney Pitzer drained a three with four seconds remaining but the hosts hit two free throws to seal the decision
- The loss stopped a 30-game regular season conference win streak that dated back to February 2, 2019; Wisconsin Lutheran was the last loss prior to the streak
- The four losses for Benedictine have come to teams with a combined record of 30-2 with all but Wisconsin Lutheran ranked (WLC is ranked by the WBCA and is receiving votes in the D3hoops.com Poll)

STAT LEADERS
- Benedictine shot just 33 percent for the game and was 6-of-27 from three-point range
- Wisconsin Lutheran scored 42 points in the paint and held a 44-36 edge on the glass
- Pitzer led Benedictine with 13 points while Gibler and McCory both totaled 10
- Alex Fanning notched nine points to go with 11 rebounds and three blocks

UP NEXT
Benedictine (4-4, 2-1 NACC) visits the consensus top team in the nation, Hope, on Thursday