The NAIA Div. I No. 12 Benedictine women’s basketball team earned a convincing HAAC Postseason Tournament Quarterfinal win over Evangel University on Thursday night.

Benedictine (27-4) the No. 2 seed in the tournament, started out slow against the No. 7 Crusaders, but then used a 50 percent shooting effort in the second half to put away Evangel (7-18) 75-57.

Evangel took away the 3-point shot for Benedictine all game long, limiting the Ravens to just 3 of 15 from beyond the arc.

Benedictine earn its third win of the season over Evangel with a strong effort off the bench as the Ravens outscored the Crusaders 32-10 off the bench.

The Ravens finished with two players in double figures, led by guard Justic Payne (Jr., Stillwater, Okla.) with 17 points. Post Liz Stinson (Sr., Stilwell, Kan.) added 13 points to round out the Ravens top scorers.

Evangel was led by the game-high 21 points of Emily Akins. Sierra McSpadden added 16 points.

Benedictine advances to host a HAAC Postseason Tournament Semifinal at 7 p.m. Saturday against No. 3 seed Central Methodist University.

— BC Sports Information —