OTTAWA – The No. 22-ranked Raven Women's Basketball team opened the season on Friday night with a 84-76 win over the University of St. Mary in the first of two in the annual KCAC-Heart Challenge, hosted this year by Ottawa University.

Benedictine (1-0) trailed USM (0-1) early before outscoring the Spires 66-56 over the final three quarters to earn the eight-point win.

USM held a 20-18 lead over Benedictine after the first quarter before Benedictine used a 22-17 advantage to take a 40-37 lead into halftime.

Both teams finished the first half in 40-percent range with USM hitting 48.3 percent to Benedictine's 42.9 percent. The Ravens were able to gain the advantage over the Spires with a 20 for 24 effort during the first half at the free throw line.

The two teams combined for 25 points in the third quarter before the Ravens used a 31-27 advantage to pull in front in the fourth quarter.

For Ravens reached double figures, led by the game-high 25 points from Kayla Staley. She finished the game connecting on 11 of 13 from the charity stripe while hitting 7 of 9 from the floor. As a team the Ravens finished the game with a 75.6 percent shooting effort at the free-throw line.

Joining Staley in double figures was Zeynap Canbaz and Skylar Washington with 11 while Rachael Baumgartner added 10.

Benedictine returns to action at 4 p.m. Saturday against Ottawa University.