Defense set the tone once again early for the No. 22-ranked Benedictine Women’s Basketball team on Wednesday night against Missouri Valley College.

Benedictine (19-4, 11-4 Heart) limited Missouri Valley (9-10, 7-8 Heart) to just one point through the first five minutes of the game as they jumped out to a 13-1 advantage en route to a 95-59 win.

The win gives Benedictine the regular-season sweep over Missouri Valley College and extends the Ravens home winning streak to 15 games dating back to last year.

Benedictine held Missouri Valley to just three field goals over the first quarter which allowed the Ravens to build a 21-11 lead after the first quarter. By halftime, the Ravens lead improved to 16 points as Benedictine led 38-22.

The two teams combined for 47 points in the third quarter but the damage was done as Benedictine extended its lead to 23 points.

After a struggling from beyond the arc on Saturday against MNU, the Ravens responded at season high 16 3-pointers – 11 of which came in the second half. They finished game at 45.7 percent from beyond the arc while knocking in 55.0 percent from the floor.

Five Ravens finished the night in double figures, led by the game-high 21 points from Chayla Rutledge. LaRanda Thomas anchored the Ravens bench effort, which led Missouri Valley 41-19, with 17 points. Kristen Murphy scored 13 points while Jordan Kramer and Haylee Beard each scored 12 points to round out the top scorers for Benedictine.

Benedictine returns to the road on Saturday, traveling to Springfield, Mo., for a 2 p.m. game against Evangel University. The Ravens took the first game over the Crusaders in Atchison back on Jan. 2 58-36.

— BC Athletics —