OLATHE – The MNU Pioneers used a 22-point fourth quarter on Saturday afternoon to hand Women's Basketball a loss in Heart play.
After holding the Pioneers to single digits in the third quarter to take a 35-32 lead into the fourth quarter, MNU outscored Benedictine 22-14 in the final 10 minutes of the game to earn a 54-49 win.
Benedictine was led in scoring by Aaliyah Raines, who scored all of her game-high 15 points in the second half.
The first meeting of the season between the Ravens and the Pioneers was a defensive battle. MNU led 14-5 after the first quarter and remained in the lead at halftime, 25-20, despite Benedictine outscoring them by four points in the second quarter.
Both teams were in the 20-percent range during the first half of play as they combined for just 18 field goals.
In the third quarter, it was the Ravens defensive effort limiting the Pioneers offense as MNU was only able to score 7 points. A 3-pointer from Raines early in the fourth quarter followed by a basket from Twillah Carrasquillo gave the Ravens a 6-point lead, their largest of the game.
MNU used an 11-0 run to erase Benedictine's lead and pull ahead by 5 as the Ravens went cold offensively in the fourth quarter. Benedictine went almost 7 minutes between the field goal from Carrasquillo and another 3-pointer from Raines. Between the two shots, the Ravens were limited to just three free throws as the Pioneers were able to keep the Ravens at arm's length down the stretch.
Both teams did shoot in the 30-percent range in the second half with the Ravens finishing the final 20 minutes with more field goals than the Pioneers.
Josie Weishaar joined Raines in double figures with 10 points while Carrasquillo led the Ravens with 11 rebounds. The Ravens finished the game with a new season high in rebounds at 54 as they held the advantage on the board by 10.
The Ravens have a quick turnaround, remaining on the road Monday with a trip to Marshall, Mo., to take on Missouri Valley College in the first of three games during the week.
