LEAVENWORTH – Benedictine Women's Basketball stepped out of conference play on Monday night with a quick trip down Highway 73 to take on the University of St. Mary.

The Ravens turned a halftime tie into a 78-62 win after shooting 54.2 percent from the floor in the second half.

Benedictine pulled ahead by four points in the first quarter only to have USM counter and pull the game into a tie headed to the second quarter. 

Riley Bruggeman hit a 3-pointer just under 4 minutes before halftime to push Benedictine back ahead by 6 before the Spires went on a 8-0 run to take over the lead with just over 90 seconds remaining in the half. Nicole Storck connected on the back end of a pair of free throws with 29 seconds remaining in the half to send the game into halftime tied at 33.

The Ravens came out of the half and took fire offensively. They opened the second half with a 15-0 run that broke the halftime tie ad pushed them ahead of the Spires 48-33 inside the first 4 minutes of the third quarter.

USM was able to close down Benedictine's lead to single digits multiple times, only for the Ravens to pull back ahead by double figures.

Leading by 9 points, the Ravens pulled back ahead by double figures on four free throws from Hattie Gros and Bruggeman before Makayla Baughman iced away the game with a 3-pointer with 26 seconds remaining.

Kelli Storck led three Ravens in double figures with a game-high 28 points. Bruggeman finished with 17 while Nicole Storck added 13.

The Ravens return home on Saturday hosting Heart newcomer Missouri Baptist University at 2 p.m. inside the Ralph Nolan Gymnasium.

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