LISLE, Ill. -- Alverno College dropped its Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference opener to host Benedictine University, 57-49, Tuesday evening in the Rice Center.

The Inferno (1-1, 0-1 NACC) shot a measly 29 percent from the floor, despite a solid 41-percent mark from the 3-point arc.

The host Eagles (1-1, 1-0) led for most of the contest until a Tessa Mersberger 3-pointer put Alverno in front, 46-45, with just over seven minutes to play. Benedictine responded with the next eight points and held the Inferno scoreless during that five-minute span.

A layup by freshman Donna Zehner broke Alverno's scoring drought to pull within five of the hosts, but a Gabby Hood free throw was the only tally the visitors managed the final two minutes of play.

Mersberger led all scorers with 15 points on 5-of-8 shooting -- all attempts came from beyond the arc. Zehner added nine and Brooke McBain chipped in eight.

The Eagles' Briana Hamilton was 7-of-11 from the field for 14 points, one of three Benedictine players to reach double figures, as they compiled a 43-percent shooting performance on the night.

Next up for the Inferno is a pair of games at the Colorado College Tipoff Classic this weekend in Colorado Springs. Alverno takes on the host Tigers Friday and then Howard Payne University Saturday.