MILWAUKEE -- In its home and conference opener, Alverno College saw a double-digit lead slip away and trailed by seven points, before roaring back for a 70-61 Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference victory over visiting Edgewood College Thursday night in Reiman Gymnasium.

"This team's just got a vibe to it," Alverno Head Coach Brad Duckworth said. "They are confident."

The Inferno (2-0, 1-0 NACC) looked confident in the first half and lead by as many as 10 before a pair of Edgewood (0-3, 0-1) free throws cut the lead to 29-21 right before the half.

Anna Boteva nailed a 3-pointer on the opening possession of the second half, but it was the last Inferno score for over 5 minutes as the Eagles used an 18-0 run to take a seven-point lead with just under 15 minutes to play.

Tessa Mersberger ended Alverno's scoring drought with a 3-pointer, but the Eagles answered back with a jumper on the next possession.

"We played horrendous for 7 minutes," commented Duckworth. "But you have five seniors--you know how many times they've been in that situation--and they came out of the timeout and just did what they have done in their careers, what was needed."

The Inferno chipped away at Edgewood's lead, and back-to-back baskets by Jamie Hoernke and Boteva pulled the hosts within one point. Boteva missed her and-one free-throw attempt, but Hoernke grabbed the offensive rebound and completed the put back for the 46-45 Alverno lead with 8:38 to play. Alverno remained in front the remainder of the game.

Ashley Berry, who snagged a career-high 13 rebounds and scored 12 points, sunk a pair of free throws with 1:02 left on the clock for a 12-point spread, the biggest lead of the night for the Inferno.

Devon Gorman fouled out of the game with 1:14 left to play, but was 8-of-10 on the night and led the Inferno with 18 points.

Hoernke joined Berry with a double-double of her own (17 points, 11 rebounds), while Boteva added 12 points and Kristen Speerschneider chipped in eight points and inched closer to Alverno's all-time assists record with a game-high seven.

Brooke McBain led Edgewood with a game-best 19 points on 8-of-15 shooting, while Rachel Pope added 15 and five assists.

"I'm looking forward to what the rest of the season has to bring," added Duckworth.

Alverno plays in its first road-NACC contest on Saturday at Benedictine University. Tipoff is at 7 p.m.