LISLE, Ill. - St. Norbert College remained unbeaten in Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference play with a hard-fought 63-59 win over Benedictine University at Rice Center.

The Green Knights (10-3, 6-0 NACC) held a 31-23 halftime lead before seeing their lead melt to a two-point advantage at the end of the third quarter. St. Norbert held off a late Eagles' charge to register the win.

St. Norbert led 37-25 with 8:26 left in the third quarter before Benedictine went on a 13-4 run over the next 3:31 to get to within 41-38 with 4:55 to go. The Eagles would tie the game at 45-45 with 28 seconds left in the quarter before Olivia DeCleene's jumper in the paint put the Green Knights ahead 47-45 at the final rest stop.

The game would be tied at 47-47 with 7:51 left but St. Norbert scored on baskets by Kaycee Gierczak and DeCleene for a 51-47 lead with 6:02 left. Benedictine would get within one point twice, the last at 55-54 with 1:49 to go. DeCleene then hit a pair of clutch baskets on St. Norbert's next two possessions to finally get some breathing room at 59-54 with 53 seconds left. Emma Morrisey's free throws with 20 seconds left put the Green Knights ahead 61-54 and seal the win.

St. Norbert led 16-9 in the early going before leading 17-13 at the end of the first quarter. Benedictine eventually led 23-22 with 2:56 left in the second quarter before St. Norbert went on a 9-0 run to end the period. Taylor Thiry's conventional three-point play with 45 seconds left put St. Norbert ahead 29-23, while DeCleene's jumper with 10 seconds left made it 31-23 at the half.

The Green Knights shot 44.9 percent (22-for-49) from the floor. DeCleene had 19 points, seven assists, four rebounds and two steals to lead the Green Knights. Casey Jepson added 12 points.

Benedictine shot 39.6 percent (21-for-53) from the floor. Jordan Carlquist led the Eagles with 14 points.