The College of DuPage women's basketball team dug themselves an early hole against the Moraine Valley Community College Cyclones inside PEC Arena on Tuesday, Dec. 9. Despite being down 28-17 after the first ten minutes, the Chaparrals outscored the visitors in two of the final three frames down the stretch.

COD battled back with a three-pointer each from Lexi Lopez, Ayaani Gusman, Kaisje Pryor and Jamie Hasemann to chip into the deficit, but still trailed by a basket at halftime, 45-43. 

The Chaps utilized the break better than the Cyclones, jumping out to a small lead in the third quarter, courtesy of more makes from deep and plenty of trips to the line. Erin Brown chipped in two tough post baskets as well.

After thirty minutes, MVCC led by five points. It went back and forth in the final quarter; stout Chap defense limited the Cyclones to just 15 points, their lowest of the night. Missed free throws proved to be the difference-maker, as COD couldn't capitalize on their trips to the line. 

Down three with the shot clock turned off, Gusman fed Lopez down low for a layup. The basket was good and beat the buzzer, but no shooting foul was called. Horns sound, an 84-83 final. 

Gusman still led DuPage in scoring with a 20-point night, Brown was the only other double-digit scorer with 14.

DuPage (1-9) will keep homecourt advantage against the Morton College Panthers (2-7) on Thursday, Dec. 11 at 5pm. The Chaps have lost the last three matchups with Morton after winning the previous four, dating back to 2012.