NORTH NEWTON – The Raven women's basketball team stepped away from their home floor for a road trip on Wednesday to take on Bethel (Kan.) College in non-conference play.

Benedictine (5-1) used a 40-point first half to distance themselves from Bethel (2-3) and then held on in the second half as they earned a 73-68 win over the Threshers.

Defensively, Benedictine limited Bethel to just nine first-half field goals while converting on 14 of 32 on the offensive end.

By halftime, the Ravens had built a 15-point lead over the Threshers 40-25.

In the second half, the Ravens cooled offensively while the Threshers took over.

Bethel knocked in 59.3 percent from the field while holding Benedictine to just 38.5 percent. The Threshers also converted 71.4 percent from beyond the 3-point arch but couldn't overcome their halftime deficit.

Three Ravens finished in double figures, led by the 13 points of forward Erin Murphy (Sr., Olathe). Guard Justice Payne (Jr., Stillwater, Okla.) added 12 points while guard Rosie Youngstrom (Jr., Fairway) added 11 points.

The Ravens host a pair of games on Friday and Saturday as they welcome in MNU, Missouri Baptist and Friends University for the 2012 BC Classic.

Benedictine takes on Missouri Baptist at 7:30 p.m. Friday and then Friends at 3 p.m. Saturday.

Friday night's game can be seen on BRSNtv.