After suffering a disappointing loss to host St. Xavier University the previous day, the Foresters (9-5) responded with a 70-55 victory over Spring Arbor University to take third place in the eight-team Christmas tournament.
For most of the first half, HU held a slim 3-5 point lead over Spring Arbor, and finally found some daylight in the final two minutes of the half. A lay-up by Lyndsey Norman brought the Cougars within four, but on the Foresters' next possession, Lauren Davenport knocked down a 3-pointer as time ran out on the shot clock to put them up 35-28 with 2:07 to go in the period. HU then forced Spring Arbor into three consecutive turnovers down the stretch and got two free throws from Courtney Beerbower to give the Foresters a 37-28 lead at the break.
The Cougars cut HU's lead to seven early in the second half at 39-32, but the Foresters came up with six unanswered points to push the margin up to 13. Spring Arbor would cut it to 10 on a several occasions, but never got back within single digits the remainder of the game.
Beerbower took game-high honors with 20 points and 10 rebounds. Davenport, who was named to the All-Tournament Team, added 19 points and Jenna Donaldson finished with 10 points and seven rebounds. Kristen Miller and Kara Buehrer both scored 12 points to pace the Cougars.
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