DES MOINES – The Raven Women's Basketball team ran their winning streak to four straight on Thursday earning a seven-point win over Grand View University.

Benedictine (15-8, 10-7 Heart) connected on 6 of 8 free throws in the fourth quarter to maintain their lead en route to a 67-60 win over Grand View (9-14, 7-10 Heart). The win allowed the Raven to earn the regular-season sweep over the Vikings while moving themselves into sole possession of fourth place in the Heart standings heading into the final month of play.

After giving up the lead briefly early in the first quarter, the Ravens pushed ahead of the Vikings by as much as 11 points as they started the second quarter of play. Benedictine maintained their lead throughout the quarter to lead 31-26 at the half.

Grand View controlled the start of the second half quickly erasing Benedictine's halftime advantage to pull back in front inside the first two minutes of the third quarter. The first two minutes of the half set the tone for the remainder of the game. Neither team was able to take control of the game playing through five ties in the quarter while the lead changed hands five times as Benedictine took a 49-47 lead into the final 10 minutes of play.

The Ravens held their lead through the midpoint of the quarter before the teams traded a series of baskets where the Vikings held a one-point lead twice. A pair of free throws from Rachael Baumgartner with four minutes left in the game put the Ravens back in the lead for good as Benedictine ws able to connect on 6 of 6 free throws inside the final four minutes of the game to seal the win.

Four Ravens finished in double figures as LaRanda Thomas and Natalie Smaron finished with 12 points each. Kayla Staley and Baumgartner added 10 each.

Benedictine remains on the road Saturday, taking on Clarke University at Noon in Dubuque, Iowa. Clarke took the first meeting with Benedictine back on Dec. 1, 67-60 for their first win in four Heart games against the Ravens.