The No. 9-ranked Raven Women's Basketball team took on their second NAIA-ranked opponent in as many games on Friday night as they opened up the 2017 BC-AmericInn Classic.
Benedictine (4-0) used a 23-point fourth quarter to keep No. 24 Lindenwood University-Belleville (0-2) at arm's length en route to a 72-61 win.
After they held a one-point lead at the end of the first quarter, the Ravens outscored the Lynx 23-16 in the second quarter to take a 38-30 lead into the half.
LU-Belleville outscored Benedictine 16-11 in the third quarter to pull within three points with 10 minutes left to play.
Despite being outscored in the third quarter, the Ravens never gave up their halftime lead. The Ravens used a 10-0 run to distance themselves from the Lynx to start the fourth quarter and set up their 11-point win.
The Ravens finished with three players in double figures as Kristen Murphy scored a game-high 27 points – two off her career high. LaRanda Thomas scored 12 points while Lexie Villegas added 11 points, which included a 3-of-4 effort from beyond the arc.
Benedictine finished the night with eight 3-pointers as they connected on 44 percent from beyond the arc and from the floor.
The Ravens wrap up the Classic at 3 p.m. Saturday when they take on Park University. The Pirates lost their Classic opener to Baker University on Friday night, 78-63.
