CHICAGO—The Illinois Institute of Technology women's basketball team's final tune-up before their two-game Puerto Rico swing pitted them at home against NAIA foe Andrews University in a rare Monday-afternoon bout. A whopping 12 lead changes occurred in the contest, but the Cardinals put an end to the back-and-forth play when Nadira Cousins nailed a three-pointer at the third-quarter buzzer to give her team a 44-43 edge. The Scarlet Hawks tied the game on two more occasions before Andrews garnered a 16-8 run within the final 6:00 of play to secure a 62-54 victory.

The loss drops IIT to 0-8 while Andrews exits Monday with a 4-6 record.

It was another day at the office for Shannon O'Donnell as she led all players with 23 points along with 12 rebounds for her fourth double double of the season. O'Donnell, who entered Monday with a NACC-leading 58 free throw attempts, converted on 12-of-14 shots at the charity stripe against Andrews. Brooke Rowan chipped in 11 points and five boards, while Erin Efimoff was also a force at the glass with six rebounds.

Andrews 62, IIT 54

The Scarlet Hawks registered their second halftime lead of the 2019-20 campaign when Erin Nelson converted one-of-two free throws with 0:06 left in the second quarter. The opening two quarters saw IIT light up the floor with a .417 (5-12) shooting mark in the first, followed by a .429 (6-14) figure in the second.

The stellar play kick-started an IIT squad that held the lead on three occasions throughout the third quarter, which included a 43-41 edge off Erin Nelson's free throw with 0:14 left in the frame. Andrews wouldn't dig themselves in a hole again when Nadira Cousins nailed a three-ball at the third-quarter buzzer that gave her team a 44-43 cushion. 

Andrews' 16-8 run to end the game was too much for IIT to overcome in a 62-54 loss.

The Scarlet Hawks will return to action on Thursday, December 19 when they take on Roanoke College in San Juan, Puerto Rico.