CLARKS SUMMIT, Pa. – Immaculata held Baptist Bible scoreless during the final two minutes while the Mighty Macs scored nine-straight points to pull out the 81-72 road victory on Monday night in Colonial States Athletic Conference women's basketball action.

The Defenders (7-5, 2-2 CSAC) knotted the score at 72-all with 2:01 to play as Ruth Butts knocked down two free throws. However, the Mighty Macs received back-to-back layups by Rachel Denis and Leah Kuczynski and were 5-of-6 from the free throw line to end the game. Immaculata's defense forced three Baptist Bible turnovers during the final two-minute stretch as the Defenders did not have an attempt from the field.

Six Mighty Macs (8-4, 3-1 CSAC) finished in double figures, including all five starters. Chrissy Esbensen led the squad with 19 points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals. Bridget Welz contributed 16 points, five rebounds, a career-high nine assists and four steals. Chelsea McTigue finished with 14 points, a team-leading seven rebounds and three assists.

Kelly Brown came off the bench to deliver 12 points for the Mighty Macs. Denis and Kuczynski each added 10 points, and Denis also chipped in seven rebounds, four assists and four steals.

Butts finished with a game-high 24 points for Baptist Bible, including 10 of 11 from the foul line. Kelly Bargfeldt registered 18 points and Kellie Bernard added 12 points.

Immaculata, which trailed by 10 (33-23) with 6:36 remaining in the first half, went on a 17-4 run to close the half and pull ahead for the first time at the break, 40-37. The Mighty Macs never gave back the lead to the Defenders the rest of the way.

Immaculata returns to action on Monday, January 17, taking on Alvernia at 7 p.m. at Alumnae Hall.