FAYETTE, Mo. – The No. 22-ranked Raven Women's Basketball team held No. 11 Central Methodist University to just 24.1 percent shooting in the second half, but at the end of the night, Benedictine (4-4, 1-3 Heart) couldn't overcome 26 first-quarter points by CMU (5-2, 3-1 Heart) as the Eagles held off a second half push by the Ravens to earn a 63-53 win.
Both teams connected on 50 percent from the floor in the first quarter as CMU led by as much as 13 points before take a nine-point lead into the second quarter. Seven second-quarter field goals by the Eagles pushed their lead to 12 at the half as they finished the half hitting 91.7 percent at the free throw line to Benedictine's 50 percent (8 of 16).
Benedictine extended an offensive run from late in the third quarter into the fourth quarter to erase a 10-point deficit. Trailing 51-41 with just over two minutes left in the third quarter, the Ravens held the Eagles scoreless over the remainder of the quarter. Kynli Nelson connected on a 3-pointer inside the first minute of the fourth quarter pulling the Ravens within three, 51-48. That was all the closer the Ravens could get as the Eagles finished the quarter outscoring Benedictine 12-8 to hold of the Ravens and earn the 10-point win.
The Ravens finished the game at 38 percent from the floor with five 3-pointers while shooting 41.7 percent at the charity stripe with just eight attempts in the second half. The Eagles finished the game at 33.3 percent from the floor as Benedictine held them to just 24.1 percent from the floor in the second half with just one 3-pointer.
Kayla Staley led the Ravens with 14 points and was the only player in double figures for Benedictine. Rylee Neill scored nine points off the bench while Nelson finished with eight as the due combined to connect on 4 of 6 3-pointers.
Benedictine returns home for a 5:30 p.m. game on Thursday with Grand View University. They remain at home on Saturday hosting Clarke University at Noon in their annual Toys For Tots game. Admission on Saturday is free for fans who bring a new, unopened toy to donate to Toys For Tots.
