DE PERE – St. Norbert College opened its new campaign with a tough 54-49 loss to University of Chicago in the first of two games in the annual Nicolet National Bank Tip-Off tournament at Mulva Family Fitness and Sports Center.  

The Green Knights were held to a lowly shooting night, converting just 35 percent (21-for-60) of their shots from the floor. Although holding the Maroon to just 37.5 percent (18-for-48), St. Norbert trailed for most of the four quarters.  

The Green Knights opened the game holding a 9-8 lead near the end of the first quarter before a 6-0 run from Chicago in the second quarter put the Green Knights in a small hole. Five points from Addyson Phipps closed the gap near halftime, while Oakley Witteck's bucket with 4:33 gave Chicago just a one-point lead. An Avery Bierowski triple again cut the lead to just a point with 1:42 left in the first half before the Maroon took a 28-23 lead into the break.  

Chicago led by as many as 14 in the third quarter, but thanks to a run led by Olivia Conway (pictured) and Bierowski, the Green Knights chipped away at the lead in the fourth quarter.  

Taylor Thiry's layup with 3:40 left made it 46-45 in favor of Chicago, but St. Norbert was to get no closer to the lead. It remained a one-possession game until late free throw makes from Chicago put the game out if reach.  

Conway and Thiry both finished with a team-high 10 points each, with Thiry grabbing five rebounds and notching two steals. Witteck finished with nine points, while Rose Hahn had seven. 

Annabelle Spots led the Maroon with 14 points.