MCKENZIE, Tenn. – Top-seeded Bethel University used a 17-point second quarter to put some distance between themselves and No. 8-seeded Benedictine Women's Basketball on Saturday night in the Second Round of the NAIA Women's Basketball National Championship.

The Wildcats held a 10-point lead at the break en route to a 67-51 win.

Josie Weishaar opened the game with a 3-pointer to give Benedictine an early lead. The Wildcats answered to take over the lead before another 3-pointer from Kennedy Nicholson tied the game at 8-all. The Wildcats outscored the Ravens over the final 2:39 of the first quarter to lead 20-18.

The Ravens were only able to convert one field goal in the second quarter – a 3-pointer from Weishaar with just over 2 minutes left before half – while the rest of their points came from the free throw line. Bethel scored 12 of their 17 points in the quarter from the floor to take a 10-point lead at the half.

After trailing by as much as 16 points in the third quarter, the Ravens pulled back within single digits four times over the final 4:30 of the quarter. Jennifer Jacobs hit a pair of free throws that pulled Benedictine within 8 points, Riley Bruggeman scored a layup with just over 3 minutes to pull Benedictine back within 8 points and then Lauryn Dubbert hit a jump with just over 2 minutes left in the quarter to pull the Ravens back within 9 as both team went scoreless over the final 2 minutes of the quarter.

A 3-pointer from Bethel started the fourth quarter and Benedictine was never able to close back within single digs as the Wildcats earned the 15-point win.

Jacobs led the Ravens with 19 points, followed by Weishaar with 10 points to round out the Ravens top scorers.

Benedictine finishes the season at 25-7 overall while Bethel improves to 24-7 and is headed to the Round of 16 next week in Sioux City, Iowa.

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