RIVER FOREST, Ill. -- Alverno College outscored host Concordia University Chicago 39-28 in the second half for another come from behind Northern Athletics Conference victory, prevailing 64-61 for its fifth-consecutive victory.

"It was a good win tonight," Alverno head coach Brad Duckworth said. "That's for sure. Right now we're just taking it one game at a time."

For the fourth time in five games the Inferno (8-8, 6-4 NAC) trailed at the half, tonight was a 33-25 deficit to Concordia Chicago (8-8, 5-6 NAC). The Inferno shot the ball well in the first period, 44 percent, but committed 10 turnovers which led to a 9-2 Concordia Chicago run to end the half. The host Cougars shot 46.7 percent in the period, including 4-of-13 from the 3-point arc.

"Being down eight doesn't scare me," said Duckworth. "We've been down double-digits multiple times at half. What I told the team was 'if you want to come in here and win, you have to lock it in and check it in' and they did that."

Alverno picked things up offensively in the second half shooting 50 percent from the field, and 5-of-9 from beyond the 3-point line. Sophomore Alicia Kontowski (South Milwaukee, Wis.) hit back-to-back 3-pointers midway through the period, giving the Inferno their first lead in over 20 minutes.

The Cougars would regain the lead on the next possession at 51-50, but a steal and a layup by Kayla Kennedy (Trempealeau, Wis./G-E-T) would snag the lead right back.

Alverno would hold the lead until the Cougars would tie the game at 58-58 with 2:13 to play on a free throw by Kim Williams, who led the Cougars and all scorers with 21 points.

Yet on the next possession Alverno's Kelsey Kochanowski (Oak Creek, Wis.) would connect on her third 3-point field goal of the game to give the Inferno the lead for good.

CUC's Williams would be fouled the next possession and hit both free throws, cutting the lead to 61-60. A missed jumper by Alverno would give CUC a chance to take the lead, but a steal by McComb allowed the Inferno to run some time off the clock and a chance to extend the lead.

Allen would drive to the hoop with 39 seconds remaining, but her layup just rimmed out giving the Cougars another opportunity to take the lead. Williams got a good look with 24 seconds remaining, but it was off the mark and Kontowski would snag the defensive rebound.

McComb would then go to the free-throw line and hit 1-of-2 for the 62-60 advantage.

CUC drew a foul with 8 seconds remaining, but Marche Smith would only hit 1-of-2 free throws, trailing the Inferno by one, forcing the team to foul.

Kontowski's two free throws with 7 seconds remaining would give the Inferno a three point cushion again, and Concordia Chicago's desperation shot in the final seconds was off target for the final 64-61 score.

The Cougars were held to just 29.4 percent shooting from the field in the second half, including an 0-for-7 performance from the 3-point arc.

Junior guard Gabby Allen (Milwaukee, Wis./Bay View) led Alverno in scoring with 18 points, joining Kochanowski and Kontowski as a double-digit scorer as the duo each chipped in 11 points. Kochanowski also had a game-high five assists.

Shataya McComb (Kingston, N.Y.) pulled down a game-high 12 rebounds for the Inferno, to go along with her eight points and two blocks.

The Inferno outrebounded the Cougars 39-34, winning the battle of the boards for the fourth game in a row.

The Inferno are next in action this Thursday as they host NAC South Division-leading Wisconsin Lutheran College (9-7, 9-2 NAC) at 7 p.m. in Reiman Gymnasium. Alverno lost to the Warriors 88-85 in double-overtime back on Dec. 2.

"Thursday night is a little bit of a grudge match for us," Duckworth said. "It's going to be fun, that's for sure."