Milwaukee, Wis. -- The Indiana University Northwest women's basketball team had a slow start to the contest after being down 17 in the first half and forced overtime but Cardinal Stritch came out on top with the one-point victory. The Wolves (8-10, 6-6 CCAC) defeated the RedHawks (7-13, 4-8 CCAC), 67-66, at the Panela Court inside the Stritch FieldHouse Saturday.

Cardinal Stritch started out with stellar defense and knocking down baskets in the first five minutes as the Wolves went up 13-1. IUN looked to gain some momentum going into the second quarter after Alexis Vieck (Bicknell, Ind.) hit a three-pointer to make it a 23-8 lead for Stritch after the period.

IUN picked it up the second quarter outscoring Stritch, 18-6. Cardinal Stritch scored the opening basket in the second quarter then the RedHawks scored the next 11 points capped off by a pair of free throws by Breanna Boles (Lapel, Ind.) which made it 25-21 with 3:46 to play in the period. 

Stritch went into the halftime break ahead 29-26 after IUN made a pair at the line. 

Sarah Martin (DeMotte, Ind./Kankakee Valley) tied the game up after hitting a three-pointer to start the second half.  The Wolves responded with a pair of threes of their own to go up by six. 

The RedHawks then answered eight of their own to take a 37-35 lead after four baskets in a row by Michaela Schmidt (Highland, Ind./Highland), Ashley O'Malley (Crown Point, Ind./Crown Point), Boles and Lauren Smolen (Crown Point, Ind./Lake Central). Stritch responded with a 10-3 run to close out the third quarter to go up 45-40.

The Wolves continued their run into the final frame, going on a 7-2 spurt to pull ahead 52-42 with seven minutes remaining. IUN fought back and made a 16-6 spurt the next six minutes after a huge three-pointer by Boles.

Both teams were unable to score the final 1:46 as the game went into overtime. 

Boles converted an and-one to start the overtime period to make it 61-58. Later in overtime, Boles hit a three-pointer to make it 66-61 with 2:18 left. 

Unfortunately, that was the last of the scoring for the RedHawks. Stritch scored the last six points of overtime in the final two plus minutes and came out on top 67-66. 

Boles led the RedHawks with a double-double recording 28 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. Vieck had 14 points with four huge trifectas. 

IUN returns to action Wednesday, January 22 as the RedHawks host Robert Morris at the Savannah Center opening tip-off is 5:30 p.m. CT.