The No. 22-ranked Benedictine College women’s basketball team improved to 3-0 in conference play on Thursday night with a 71-47 win over Culver-Stockton College.

Benedictine (13-2, 3-0 HAAC) used a 50-percent shooting effort in the first half to lead Culver (5-9; 0-4 HAAC) 39-23 at the half.

The Ravens outscored the Wildcats bench 38-6 thanks in large part to the team-high 16 points of guard Rosie Youngstrom.

Culver-Stockton was led by the game-high 25 points of guard Mimi Reaves.

Benedictine hits the road on Saturday for a battle of NAIA Div. I Top 25 programs as they travel to Olathe, to take on No. 11 MNU at 2 p.m.

— BC Sports Information —

The Benedictine (Kan.) College men’s basketball team wrapped up 2012 on Sunday afternoon with a 75-62 comeback effort against Harris-Stowe State University inside the Ralph Nolan Gymnasium.

HSSU (1-12) led by two points at the break off a 48.3 percent shooting effort. Benedictine (9-4) hit 50 percent from the floor in the second half while forcing 13 second-half turnovers to outscore HSSU 46-31 in the second half.

Benedictine held a 22-8 advantage in points off turnovers, forcing HSSU into 22 total turnovers. The Ravens also dominated the paint, outscoring the Hornets 44-28.

The Ravens got a 32-point effort off their bench as they outscored the Hornets 32-4.

All five of the starters for HSSU finished in double figures but couldn’t match the game-high effort of Benedictine forward Charlie Wallrapp (Jr., Omaha) with 14.

Benedictine guard John Harris, Jr., (Fr., Lincoln, Neb.) added 11 points to round out the Raven double figure scorers. Forwards Rafail Tsourakis (Soph., Athens, Greece) and Jalen Messersmith (Soph., Blue Springs, Mo.) led the bench-scoring effort for the Ravens with 8 points each.

The Ravens return to action on Jan. 3, hosting Heart of America Athletic Conference opponents Culver-Stockton College at 7:30 p.m.

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On the heels of the rare double championship, two members of the Benedictine men’s soccer team were awarded for their efforts this season as the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) released the 2012 All-America squad.

Defender Fernando Galvan (Sr., Kansas City, Mo.) was among 11 players named to the first team while forward Joe Sbarro (Jr., Kansas City, Mo.) was among the 11 players named to the second team.

“For me, I’m still trying to let it sink in,” said Raven head coach Rob Herringer. “We’ve had some really good players over the past eight years that haven’t been able to receive the honor and for us to get two this year, really proves to me that our program has arrived.”

Galvan wrapped up a stellar career for the Ravens this fall as he was a key piece of a back line defense that finished the season ranked No. 1 in shutouts per game and fourth in the NAIA in total shutouts with 11.

“I was shocked,” said Galvan. “I would imagine a lot of this came from our team success and the number of shutouts we had. I was able to get on the scoresheet a little more than some other center backs and that had to help as well.

“It’s an honor to earn the award because I know about all of the players who have played here before me who have deserved it and haven’t been able to get it.”

He was also named first-team All-HAAC along with being named the HAAC’s Defensive Player of the Year and HAAC MVP. He finished the season with a total of 19 points – second on the team only to Sbarro. Galvan tallied eight goals and three assists from his middle-back position.

“He has made a name for himself,” said Coach Herringer. “He had the numbers to back up his solid defensive play. The fact that he was named the overall (HAAC) MVP shows that others see that he is a strong all-around player and not just a strong center back.”

Sbarro came on strong in HAAC play for Coach Herringer and finished the season ranked No. 14 in goals scored (19) and No. 13 in goals per game (1.0).

“Joe had a phenomenal season as well,” said Coach Herringer. “It’s hard to be named an All-American at forward.”

His 38 points was a HAAC high as he tallied 19 goals en route to being named the HAAC Offensive Player of the Year.

“He realized some his potential this season,” said Coach Herringer. “It has taken him some time to adjust to the physicalness and speed of the college game. We’ve been working with him the past three years to play within a system that allows him to do what he does best. This year you could see him gain confidence within the system.”

Benedictine won both the HAAC regular season title and the HAAC Postseason Tournament title this season. They finished with an overall record of 12-3-4 and went 5-1-1 in the HAAC – one of the nations top men’s soccer conferences.

— BC Sports Information —

The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) announced its 2012 Women’s Soccer All-America team and two members of the Benedictine women’s soccer team were among those on the team.

Forward Bethany Smith (Soph., Overland Park) and midfielder Erin O’Brien (Sr., Overland Park) were both named on the All-America honorable mention list for their efforts on the field this season.

Smith led the Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC) in points with 51 in her first season at Benedictine. She tallied a conference-high 19 goals and finished tied for first in the HAAC with 13 assists.

“Bethany’s ability to possess, pass, and finish, makes her an outstanding player,” said Raven head coach Lincoln Roblee. “Although she had a fantastic season, her best is yet to come. The most important stat she is concerned with is winning, and I’m confident with her determination, we will continue to do even more of that during her next two years.”

Smith was ranked among the NAIA leaders in shots on goal per game (No. 6, 3.24) and total assists (No. 8).

O’Brien was tied for fifth in the HAAC in assists with nine and was a key part of the Ravens success from her midfield position. She also scored eight goals this season, finishing in the top 10 in the HAAC in points with 25.

“Erin was extremely dominating in midfield,” said Coach Roblee. “Her playmaking skills and goal-scoring ability combined with her tremendous work rate made her standout in every game. She is a great leader and this honor justly solidifies her place in history as one of Benedictine’s best players.”

Smith and O’Brien were both named first-team All-HAAC this season while Smith was named the HAAC Offensive Player of the Year.

— BC Sports Information —

The Benedictine (Kan.) College men’s basketball team suffered its first Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC) loss of the season on Saturday afternoon as NAIA Div. I No. 21 Evangel University held off a late second-half run to earn the 71-58 win.

Evangel limited Benedictine to just 4 of 15 from beyond the 3-point arc as they converted on 8 of 20.

The Ravens did win the battle in the paint, outscoring the Crusaders 34-20 but Evangel held a 31-21 advantage in bench scoring.

Benedictine guard John Harris, Jr., scored a game-high 17 points in the loss while Evangel was anchored by the 15-point performance of Victor Agbasi. Agbasi’s effort accounted for a large chunk of Evangel’s bench scoring.

Evangel moves to 8-3 overall and 1-1 in the HAAC while Benedictine falls to 7-3 overall and 1-1 in the HAAC.

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The Benedictine (Kan.) College women’s basketball team earned its ninth straight win on Saturday afternoon with a 64-52 win over Evangel University inside the Ralph Nolan Gymnasium.

Benedictine scored 23 points off 11 Evangel turnovers en route to its second straight Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC) win.

Raven forward Erin Murphy scored a game high 24 points in the win going 9 for 9 from the charity stripe.

Evangel was led by the 19-point effort of forwrard Sierra McSpadden.

Benedictine improves to 11-1 overall and 2-0 in the HAAC while Evangel falls to 2-5 overall and 1-1 in the HAAC.

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The Benedictine College men’s basketball team went toe to toe with NAIA Div. I preseason No. 2 Oklahoma Baptist on Tuesday night inside the Ralph Nolan Gymnasium.

Benedictine (5-2) made a late run at OBU (6-0) but fell short as the Bison held off the last-minute comeback effort to earn the 54-51 win.

It was the first road game for Oklahoma Baptist University and just the third home game of the season for Benedictine.

The score was tied eight time and the lead changed hands 13 times.

The two teams combined for just 18 second-half field goals in the defensive battle.

Only one player from either team reached double figures as OBU was led in scoring by David Johnson with 11 points.

Benedictine’s leading scorer was Jonathan Anaekwe with 8 points.

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Behind a 40-point second half, the Benedictine College (8-1) women’s basketball team earned a solid come-from-behind victory on Tuesday night over NAIA Div. II nationally-ranked College of St. Mary (5-2).

Trailing 50-46 at the half and by 15 points in the second half, Benedictine converted 16 of 36 from the field in the second half while holding CSM to just 7 of 25 from the field.

Benedictine had five players reach double figures led by the 18 points of post Liz Stinson. College of St. Mary was led in scoring by the game-high 24 points of guad Thresa Elworth.

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The Benedictine (Kan.) College women’s basketball team opened up the 2012 BC Classic on Friday night with a 71-59 win over Missouri Baptist University inside the Ralph Nolan Gymnasium.

Benedictine (6-1) converted on 60 percent from beyond the arc in the en route to their four straight home win. MBU (1-2) was limited to 35 percent from the floor in the second half.

Benedictine finished with four players in double figures, led by the 16 points of guard Kelsey Anselmi. Guard Justice Payne added 12 while guard Jackie Ziesel added 11 off the bench. Post Liz Stinson finished with 10 points.

MBU was led by the game high 21 points of Kristyne Smyth.

Benedictine host Friends University, a nationally-ranked NAIA Div. II program, at 3 p.m. Saturday back in the Ralph Nolan Gymnasium.

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Benedictine College Athletic Director Charlie Gartenmayer announced Thursday that Raven head volleyball coach Mary Lile has stepped down from her duties at Benedictine.

“We thank Coach Lile for her efforts and leadership of the volleyball program over her time at Benedictine,” Gartenmayer said. “We wish her the best of luck in her future endeavors.”

A nation-wide search for Lile’s replacement will begin immediately.

Lile came to Benedictine in the fall of 2006 and guided the Ravens to a 101-73 record over her first six seasons.  Benedictine went 7-23 this past season, falling in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC) Tournament to nationally-ranked MNU.

Under Lile’s leadership, the Raven volleyball program produced four Daktronics-NAIA Scholar Athletes, 27 all-conference selections, an NAIA All-American and an American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) All-American.

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