SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – The Raven Women's Basketball team held off a fourth-quarter run by (RV) Evangel University on Monday night en route to a 77-74 win over the Crusaders.

Benedictine (10-6, 5-5 Heart) opened up a three-game week with their fifth straight win.

The Ravens lead from the tip jumping out to a 17-7 lead over Evangel (9-6, 4-6 Heart) before taking a nine-point lead into the second quarter. Benedictine extended their lead to as much as 11 in the second quarter before that lead was erased as the Crusaders outscored the Ravens 21-14. LaRanda Thomas hit the final basket of the first half to give Benedictine the lead 35-33 at the half.

The third quarter played through five ties and six lead changes before a 3-pointer from Thomas pushed the Ravens in front 51-48 with just under three minutes left in the quarter. By the end of the quarter, the Ravens lead stood at five and the pushed ahead by as much as 12 points before holding off a late run by Evangel to earn the three-point win.

Despite the late run, the Crusaders were never able to regain the lead after losing it midway through the third quarter.

Benedictine finished the game connecting on 58 percent from the floor while hitting 66.7 percent in the second half. They finished with six 3-pointers on 50 percent shooting. They finished the second half with 11 free throws, going 8 of 13 in the fourth quarter.

Sam Brennan lead the Ravens in scoring with 16 points. She connected on five field goals while going 6 of 6 at the charity stripe. Rachael Baumgartner added 14 off six field goals and a 2-for-2 effort at the free throw line.

Benedictine remains on the road for a Thursday match up against Peru State College at 5:30 p.m. in Peru, Neb., before returning home on Saturday to take on (20) William Penn University at 2 p.m.