OLATHE – The (RV) Raven Women's Basketball team used a season-high 91.3 percent shooting effort at the free throw line on Wednesday night to knock off No. 18 MNU.
After trailing by as much as 16 points in the second quarter, Benedictine (11-5, 9-3 Heart) battled back and beat the Pioneers 68-64 in overtime inside Bell Family Arena.
The Pioneers connected on 52.9 percent from the floor in the first quarter while limiting the Ravens to just 17.6 percent. Heading into the second quarter, the Pioneers held a 23-9 lead and a pair of free throw later seconds into the second quarter the extended their lead to 16, 25-9. Benedictine finished the second quarter outscoring MNU 21-12 to cut the deficit to five points at the half.
The Ravens kept the momentum in the third quarter as their comeback effort continued. They outscored the Pioneers 13-11 as they turned up the defensive intensity. After committing 10 turnovers in the first half, the Pioneers committed 8 alone in the third quarter helping fuel the Ravens comeback. With 10 minutes left in the game, Benedictine still trailed MNU, but only by three points.
The offensive struggles continued for MNU in the fourth quarter, Benedictine forced another 9 turnovers while they were able to get to the free-throw line. They limited MNU to just four field goals while knocking in 8 of 8 free throws to erase their deficit and pull ahead by as much as four points. MNU connected on a last-second 3-pointer to tie the game at 56 all. With one timeout remaining, the Ravens were able to advance the ball to halfcourt and draw up sideline inbound play that got them a look at the game-winner that ultimately was blocked out of bounds to send the game into overtime.
Benedictine finished off the upset outscoring MNU 12-8 in overtime. They forced the Pioneers into another four turnovers in the overtime period which pushed MNU's total to 31. Benedictine finished the game scoring 26 points off those turnovers while MNU was only able to score 10 off the Ravens turnovers.
Benedictine also got a big offensive boost off their bench, which finished with a 35-23 advantage. Kiara Smith matched Brynn Maul with a team-high 11 points with Smith's 11 off the bench. Heather Ronnebuam added 10 points off the bench as well. As a team, the Ravens finished at 21 of 23 from the free throw line to set their new season-high. They finished the game shooting 33.3 percent from the floor, which included a 39.1 percent effort after the first quarter.
The Ravens return home on Saturday at 2 p.m. to take on Baker University. Benedictine earned a 79-67 win over the Wildcats in Baldwin City back on Nov. 18.
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