FULTON, Mo. – Benedictine Women's Basketball opened up 2026 on the road Saturday with the first-ever Heart game against William Woods University.

The Ravens limited the Owls to just 6 points in the fourth quarter to pull away for a 61-48 win over William Woods.

Benedictine's first 6 points of the game came at the charity stripe for the Ravens as they opened up the game holding William Woods scoreless for nearly the first three minutes. Macie Eidson gave the Ravens a double-figure lead for the first time with just over a minute left in the quarter before Benedictine took a 14-8 lead into the second quarter. 

A 3-pointer from Kyla Fitzgerald stop a 10-0 run by William Woods for the Ravens first basket of the second quarter that held off the Owls from pulling even with the Ravens. The Owls tied the game seconds later and took its first lead of the game before Nicole Storck hit a pair of free throws to give the lead back to Benedictine. The Ravens outscored the Owls 13-4 over the final 3:42 of the half to pull ahead 30-25 at the break.

Benedictine never gave up their halftime lead, pushing back to a 10-point lead on a basket from Kelli Storck that capped a 9-0 run for the Ravens midway through the third quarter. 

Headed into the fourth quarter, the Ravens held a 48-42 lead, but managed just one basket through the 5-minute media timeout of the quarter. That dry spell allowed the Owls to pull within 3 before Benedictine held William Woods to a single free throw over the final 4:45 of the game to pull ahead for the 13-point win.

Three Ravens finished the game in double figures, led nay Riley Bruggeman with 19. Nicole Storck finished with 17 while Kelli Storck added 16.

Benedictine makes their 2026 home debut on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. hosting Peru State College inside the Ralph Nolan Gymnasium.

www.ravenathletics.com | #UnleashGreatness | www.benedictine.edu