The Benedictine Mesa Women's Basketball Team secured a thrilling victory against La Sierra University on Thursday night, orchestrating a remarkable comeback in the 4th quarter and ultimately clinching the win with a final score of 59-55.
 
To kick off the game, Alize Ruiz hit a jumper to put BenU on the board. The Redhawks steadily increased their lead until La Sierra managed a last-minute layup, resulting in a tied score of 12-12 at the end of the 1st quarter.
 
Although Benedictine started the 2nd quarter ahead, they quickly lost the lead. The teams engaged in a back-and-forth battle until La Sierra took the lead at the 6:58 mark, maintaining it throughout the quarter. The Golden Eagles went into halftime with a lead of 33-24.
 
The 3rd quarter showcased the defensive prowess of the Redhawks, limiting La Sierra to just 10 points. This defensive effort allowed BenU to catch up and equalize the game by the end of the 3rd quarter.
 
Entering the decisive 4th quarter with a tied score, both teams fiercely competed for the win. Benedictine took an early lead with a layup from Xaria Culver. The teams exchanged leads until Alize Ruiz's crucial layup with 32 seconds left, putting BenU up by 2 (57-55). Raenesha Willis sealed the victory by stealing the ball from the Golden Eagles. The final score stood at 59-55.
 
Key Players:

• Alize Ruiz showcased her double-double prowess with 14 points and 10 rebounds, marking her 12th double-double of the season.
• Raenesha Willis achieved two career records with 6 assists and 8 steals, complemented by 11 points and 6 rebounds.
• Maria Moore set a personal record with a season-high 4 steals, contributing 10 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 assist.

 
Looking Ahead: The Women Redhawks will return to the court on Saturday at home against Embry-Riddle for a 3 pm matchup.