The Benedictine Mesa Women's Basketball team defeated the University of Saint Katherine, 69-63, Saturday afternoon in San Marcos, CA. 
 
Nyah Henderson scored a layup to put the Redhawks on the board to start the game against the Firebirds. The Redhawks then went on to have a 6-point run to go up by 7. The 1^st quarter showed the Redhawks' rebounding skills as they out-rebounded Saint Katherine by 9. BenU closed out the 1^st quarter up by 8, 15-7. 
 
In the second quarter the Redhawk women got in a groove and just kept adding to their lead. They even went up by 14 points at the 1:16 mark, 34-20. The Redhawks shot 47.4% from the field to score 21 points and finish out the half up 36-26. 
 
Coming back from halftime, BenU added to their lead to go up by 12. The Firebirds battled back and closed the gap to 3 points, 44-41. But Nyah Henderson got the Redhawks back in the game with a layup to make sure Saint Katherine didn't take the lead. BenU finished the 3^rd quarter up 53-45. 
 
The Redhawks battled hard in the 4^th quarter to stay ahead until the 3:24 mark when the Firebirds cut the lead to 2, 63-61. But Nyah Henderson once again kept the Redhawks in the game with a layup, 65-61. The Firebirds stayed close and cut the lead again to 2 points. But Alize Ruiz sunk a free throw that started a 3-point run that allowed the Redhawks hold on to win the game. 
 
Alize Ruiz shot an impressive 77% from the field hitting 7 of her 9 shots resulting in 20 points. With her 20 points and 11 rebounds, Ruiz recorded her second double-double of the weekend and 8^th of the season. Nyah Henderson had a strong performance, especially when the Redhawks needed her most, resulting in 13 points and 6 rebounds. Maria Moore scored 11 points with 7 of them coming in the 3^rd quarter to help the Redhawks keep their lead and finish out with the win. 
 
The Redhawk women head home for their next game against the University of California, Merced on Thursday, January 11^th.