Benedictine opens up a two-game homestand tonight at 5:30 p.m. as they host Graceland University inside the Ralph Nolan Gymnasium. Admission is free tonight with the donation of an unopened toy in support of the Benedictine Basketball Christmas Joy Toy Drive.
Tonight's match-up between Benedictine and Graceland marks the 60th meeting in the series since the Ravens joined the Heart of America Athletic Conference for the 1992-93 season. Benedictine has won 8 of the last 10 in the series and had a four-game winning streak snapped in their 63-56 loss in Lamoni, Iowa, last season.
ABOUT BENEDICTINE: Since 2008, the Ravens have posted an 11-2 mark inside the Ralph Nolan Gymnasium against the Yellowjackets. In their 11 wins, the Ravens have averaged 76.5 points per game with an overall average of 73.4. They have scored above the 76.5 point average in 6 games with a high of 89 in an 89-57 win on Feb. 16, 2009. ... All 3 of Benedictine's wins have come at home this season where they are averaging 88.0 points, up from their overall average of 74.8. Josie Weishaar has enjoyed her new home court, averaging 22.3 per game. She leads four players in double figures at home – Aailyah Raines (11.5), Jennifer Jacobs (10.8), and Kennedy Nicholson (10.0). ...Through 8 games, Benedictine has the best field goal percentage in the Heart at 45.5 percent. Their top percentage against an NAIA opponent came in their 78-68 loss to William Penn on Saturday where they finished at 51.8 percent. They have connected on 45 percent or more from the field in four games this season.
ABOUT GRACELAND: Through 10 games, Graceland has two of the top five individual rebounders in the Heart. Madilyn Sager ranks fourth at 66 total rebounds while Kailey Boden ranks fifth at 64 total rebounds. As a team, they rank sixth in rebounds per game at 40.6. ... Graceland is 3-3 on the road this season where their points per game average has dipped to 64.0 ppg from their overall average of 66.2. Benedictine has held their four home opponents to 55.5 points per game – 62.7 in their three games against NAIA opponents. ... Willie Scott is in his first year leading Graceland. Scott is the third head coach for the Yellowjackets in the past four years following Frank Howell who left in April 2020 and Uyen Tran who left in April 2022.
UP NEXT: Benedictine hosts Culver-Stockton College on Saturday at Noon. Once again, admission is free with the donation of an unopened toy. Santa Clause will be outside of the Ralph Nolan Gymnasium from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Saturday.
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