AURORA, Ill. – The Falcons and Spartans battled for 40 minutes on Saturday. Aurora defended its home court with a 73-67 victory to send CUW to 8-8 and to 7-4 in the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference.

The Spartans marched out to an early 8-0 lead in the first quarter to start the game.

A layup from senior Emily Hafemann (Hales Corners, Wis.) snapped the streak.

A layup from senior Aubrey Buchholtz (Seymour, Wis.) cut the deficit to 19-15 after the first quarter.

The birds cut the margin to 21-20 with a layup from junior Lily Guerra (Yorkville, Ill.) in the second quarter, but Aurora took a 38-29 lead into halftime.

Concordia showed no quit on Saturday and continued to chip away at the Aurora lead and a shot from Lily Guerra gave the Falcons a 53-52 lead to head into the fourth quarter.

Senior Reagan Obry (Neenah, Wis.) had eight of the 24 points for the birds in the third quarter.

A three-point basket for the Black and Blue gave the Spartans the lead at the beginning of the fourth and they never gave it back.

Emily Hafemann finished with a game-high 17 points and six assists. She also led CUW with seven rebounds.

Aubrey Buchholtz added 12 points and Lily Guerra had 11 points for the Falcons.

CUW looks to get back in the win column on Wednesday night at home against Dominican.