The Benedictine women’s basketball season drew to a close on Thursday night at the hands of Missouri Valley College in the HAAC Tournament Quarterfinals.
Fifth-seeded Missouri Valley (19-10) took advantage from the charity stripe in a game that saw a combined 61 fouls called to earn a 77-71 win over fourth-seeded Benedictine (20-11).
While the season concludes earlier than expected for the Ravens, the 20 wins marks the eighth time under head coach Chad Folsom that Benedictine has reached 20 wins in a season.
The tone for the game was set early as the two teams combined for more fouls than points over the first six minutes of the game.
When Benedictine’s Alexa Taff knocked in a 3-point to put the Ravens in front 5-2 with 14 minutes and 36 seconds left in the first half, the two teams had already been called for eight combined fouls.
The two teams continued to battle through the fouls, three ties and four lead changes before Benedictine pushed ahead by as much as seven points just over midway through the half.
Missouri Valley closed within two points but couldn’t get any closer as the Ravens sat on a 30-25 lead at halftime.
At the half, Benedictine held a slight advantage from the charity stripe, converting on 10 of 16 to Missouri Valley’s 8 of 13. Both teams were limited to single-digit field goals at the half.
Missouri Valley scored the first seven points of the second half to erase Benedictine’s halftime lead and take a three-point lead just 90 seconds in.
The Ravens answered the first run of the second half by the Vikings with one of their own.
Benedictine outscored Missouri Valley 14-5 over the next eight minutes to pull in front by nine points.
The Ravens remained in the lead until the seven-minute mark when the Vikings broke through the games sixth tie to take a 53-52 lead with six minutes and 41 seconds remaining in the game.
Benedictine remained within a possesion of Missouri Valley until they were forced to foul over the games final minutes which allowed the Vikigns to seal the game from the free throw line.
Missouri Valley connected on 24 of 33 at the free throw line in the second half and converted on 50 percent from the floor to end Benedictine’s tournament run.
Despite only converted one more field goal than the Ravens in the second half as Benedictine connected on 12 of 32 from the floor, the Vikings were able to hold off a last-second run by the Ravens from the charity stripe.
Justice Payne led four Ravens in double figures with 15 points. Jackie Ziesel finished with 11 points while Alex Taff and Chayla Rutledge each scored 10 points.
Missouri Valley was led by the game-high 19-point effort of Gabi Morales.
— BC Sports Information —