#MUWBB Holds Off Belmont, 64-61

NASHVILLE, Tennessee - The Marquette women's basketball team moved to 4-1 (1-0 BIG EAST) on the season with a hard-fought 64-61 win over Belmont on Sunday afternoon.

Sophomore guard Claire Kaifes scored all six of her points in the fourth quarter, including the eventual game-winning 3-pointer with 1:39 left to play. The Golden Eagles and Bruins (2-2, 1-0 OVC) exchanged defensive stops for the remainder of regulation. The game ended on a 3-pointer from Belmont's Whitney Hay that rimmed out at the buzzer.

Lauren Van Kleunen scored 11 of her team-high 20 points in the third quarter to help the Golden Eagles overcome a halftime deficit and grab their third road victory in three tries this year. Senior guard Selena Lott played a critical role in the victory as well, grabbing a career-high 14 rebounds to go along with 18 points and five assists.

In a game with six ties and eight lead changes, the Golden Eagles were eventually able to outlast the Bruins with some timely shot making and lockdown defense in the final minutes of the game.

MU held BU to just 32% shooting from the floor, but the Bruins were able to stay in the game by forcing 25 turnovers, which was a season-high for the Golden Eagles.

After trailing 30-29 at the half, MU took the lead early in the third quarter and led the entire half until the 2:18 mark of the fourth quarter, when Belmont's Jamilyn Kinney hit a three to put her team up 61-59.

A Selena Lott layup tied the game 10 seconds later and Kaifes' second 3-pointer of the game put MU ahead for good.

Destinee Wells led Belmont with a season-high 21 points while Tuti Jones had 17 for the Bruins. Leading scorer Madison Treece was held to 0 points on 0/6 shooting from the floor.

POSTGAME NOTES:
-The Golden Eagles move to 11-6 on the road under Coach Duffy, including a 3-0 record this season.
-MU has now won the rebounding battle in 35 of 37 games in the Coach Duffy era.
-Selena Lott registered her 37th career double-figure scoring game (18 points).
-Lauren Van Kleunen scored in double figures for her 10th straight game, including all five this season.
-Lott took down a career-high 14 rebounds. Her previous high was nine last year against Villanova.
-Chloe Marotta tied a season-high with nine points.
-Claire Kaifes hit two 3-pointers in a game for the first time in her career.

UP NEXT:
Marquette's next game is at home against St. John's on Wednesday, Dec. 16 at 2 p.m. Central time. FloHoops will provide streaming coverage.

Keep up with the Marquette women's basketball program through social media by following on Twitter (@MarquetteWBB) and Instagram (@marquettewbb) and `liking' on Facebook (/MarquetteWBB).