RIVER FOREST, ILL. -- In their second conference matchup of the year the Concordia University Chicago women's basketball team downed the Illinois Institute of Technology Scarlet Hawks 84-75. 

INSIDE THE BOX

• Katherine Benes (Oconomowoc, Wis.) led the Cougars with 24 points, 15 rebounds, and six assists.
• Melia Perry (Plainfield, Ill.) followed behind with a career-high 22 points and four rebounds, after shooting 50% from the field and being the only Cougar to net a three on the day.
• Alisyn MacGregor (Loves Park, Ill.) fell short of a double-double after grabbing 15 points and nine rebounds.
• Freshman Mckayley Hopkins (St. Louis, Mo.)led the Cougars in steals after grabbing a career-high ten on the day. 

With a quiet gym inside Geiseman on the day before Thanksgiving, the Cougars quickly fell behind the Scarlett Hawks, forcing head coach Lauren Martin to take an early timeout. Needing high-intensity defense to shut down the raging IIT offense, a massive block from Jada Dixon (Gary, Ind.) proved to be the momentum shift the Cougars needed. 

The Cougars were able to get into their usual groove and started to find their offensive footing. A big three from Melia Perry brought the Cougars within one as they continued their climb.

A 17-0 run from the Cougars late in the first quarter put them ahead and gave them the momentum to hold onto the lead for the remainder of the quarter. 

With the Scarlet Hawks proving to be an offensive threat, the Cougars found themselves having to kick up the intensity. Despite giving up a three to start the quarter, the Cougars once again found themselves on a run. A transition bucket from Hopkins off the dish from Jaylene Wade (Lansing, Ill.) kept the steady pace thriving.

Needing the defense to be the strong suit of today's game after the high scoring first quarter from the Scarlet Hawks, the Cougars locked in. With hot hands from everyone, the Cougars were able to grab a number of steals and blocks before the end of the first half. 

Coming out of the half, the Cougars looked to keep their lead. With little success from outside the three point line, the focus shifted to finding ways inside. Two big buckets inside the paint from Dixon followed by a fast paced transition bucket from MacGregor extended the Cougar lead to 11. 

Holding onto their lead as the clock wound down the Cougars pick up their second conference win of the season as they improve to 3-3 overall and 2-0 in the NACC. They take a small break over the weekend before hitting the road next Wednesday to continue conference play as they take on Edgewood College. Coverage for this matchup and all things Concordia Women's Basketball can be found at cucougars.com.