AURORA, Ill. – The Concordia Wisconsin women's basketball team continued a challenging road trip on Wednesday night at Aurora, where the Spartans defended their home court with a 70-59 victory. Aurora improves to 12-3 overall and 6-2 in the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference.

The Falcons battled from the opening tip in a tightly contested first quarter. Concordia grabbed a 10-9 lead with 2:37 remaining after a layup from freshman Isabela Gunderson (Waukesha, Wis.). Aurora answered with back-to-back three-point baskets to close the quarter and take a 15-10 advantage.

Concordia quickly responded to open the second quarter, trimming the deficit to one possession for much of the frame. Sophomore Alexa Schwartz (Treynor, Iowa) knocked down a three-pointer at the buzzer to cut Aurora's halftime lead to 32-28. The Falcons outscored the Spartans 18-17 in the second quarter.

The Blue and White came out firing in the third quarter, opening on a 6-0 run sparked by two quick layups from junior Andrea Butterbrodt (Green Bay, Wis.). Butterbrodt later converted a pair of free throws to give Concordia its largest lead of the night, 41-37, with 4:32 remaining in the quarter. Aurora rallied down the stretch and carried a slim 47-46 edge into the fourth.

The Spartans proved steady at the free-throw line in the final period, converting 12-of-14 attempts to secure the win.

Butterbrodt led the Falcons with 20 points, five rebounds, and three blocks. Freshman Amya Pluess (Burlington, Wis.) added a career-best seven assists.

Concordia returns to action on Jan. 21 when it hosts Dominican. The Falcons were originally scheduled to face Alverno on Saturday, but the Inferno did not field a team this season.