LISLE, IL - The Benedictine University women's basketball team nearly erased a 17-point deficit in the fourth quarter but fell short at home, losing to Edgewood.

FINAL SCORE
Edgewood 59, Benedictine 55

THE DETAILS
• Benedictine scored the first five points of the game on a three from Brilan McCory and a jumper from Hanna Piro
• Edgewood countered with the next five to tie the game
• Holding a 10-9 lead, Benedictine notched six straight to lead 16-9 on a free throw from Sara Smith, a three from Claire Gibler and a layup from Alex Fanning
• Edgewood was able to cut the deficit to two at the end of the opening quarter
• Benedictine was able to extend the lead to nine points at the end of the first half on consecutive threes from Gibler, including a halfcourter at the buzzer, taking a 31-22 lead into the break
• Edgewood came out strong to start the second half, limiting Benedictine to just three field goals in the third and using a 10-0 run to take the lead at 34-33
• The visitors, who won the 2020 NACC Tournament Championship at Benedictine, closed the third with another 10-0 run to move ahead 44-37 after outscoring Benedictine 22-6
• Edgewood scored the first seven points of the fourth to extend the run to 17-0 and open a 54-37 lead with 6:23 left
• Smith opened a 9-0 run with a free throw as Benedictine battled within 56-48 with 4:06 to go
• Trailing by 11 with 2:48 left, Benedictine scored seven straight to pull within four in the final minute, but that was the way the contest ended

STAT LEADERS
• Edgewood held a 49-40 advantage on the glass
• Benedictine shot 30 percent from the floor in the contests and finished 7-of-20 at the line
• McCory and Gibler both scored 14 points to lead Benedictine
• Fanning finished with 10 points and 10 rebounds in another double-double but fouled out in just 27 minutes of action
• The NACC Player of the Week added four blocks and three steals
• Piro picked up 10 rebounds while dishing four assists

UP NEXT
Benedictine (6-8, 4-3 NACC) hosts MSOE on Saturday afternoon.