Benedictine Mesa opened the afternoon with energy and defensive intensity, but a massive second-quarter surge from The Master's University proved too much to overcome, as the Redhawks dropped a 67–53 decision despite several strong scoring stretches.
First Quarter
The game began with a defensive tone on both ends. After several early misses,
Olivia Arvallo broke the scoring seal for the Redhawks with a smooth layup, tying the game at 2–2 after The Master's struck first. Arvallo stayed aggressive, knocking down a jumper moments later to give Benedictine a 4–2 advantage.
The Redhawks controlled the glass early, especially through
Shyla Moore, who grabbed multiple offensive rebounds to extend possessions and push the pace.
Naomi Elliott added a layup at the 6:32 mark to reclaim a 6–4 lead.
The teams traded baskets through the midpoint of the quarter, with Benedictine finding success through hustle plays and transition opportunities.
Kira Nowell provided a spark off the bench late, converting a layup plus a free throw for a three-point play to push the Redhawks ahead 13–10.
However, The Master's closed the quarter on a 4–0 run, capped by a late mid-range jumper from
Allie Miller, giving the Mustangs a narrow 14–13 edge after one.
Second Quarter
Benedictine struggled to regain momentum in the second. The Master's opened the quarter with defensive pressure and a lightning-fast 10–0 run fueled by
Alli VanKooten, who repeatedly attacked the rim in transition. In a 90-second span, the Redhawks saw a one-point deficit turn into a 24–13 hole.
Though
Moore,
Arvallo, and
Elliott generated good looks, the Redhawks' shots wouldn't fall consistently, and turnovers began to pile up. The Master's capitalized on nearly every mistake, turning live-ball turnovers into points in the paint.
After falling behind 27–15, Benedictine steadied itself.
Alannah Northam drilled a three from the right wing, providing a much-needed lift, and Nowell followed with another strong finish at the rim to trim the deficit to 29–20.
Northam and Elliott continued to battle late in the quarter, combining for six points and multiple rebounds. But The Master's stayed hot, knocking down a late three and continuing to dominate on the offensive glass.
Despite a final jumper from Moore, the Redhawks trailed 34–26 entering halftime.
Third Quarter
The Master's briefly extended their lead early in the third, pushing it to 38–26, but Benedictine responded with their most determined stretch of the game.
A mid-range jumper from
Moore, followed by a pair of deep threes from
Arvallo, ignited an 12–2 Redhawk run that cut the deficit to just
38–34. Benedictine's defense tightened, holding The Master's without a field goal for nearly three minutes while forcing multiple turnovers.
Arvallo stayed hot, drilling another three with 5:20 remaining to pull the Redhawks within
four at 38–34, and the home bench erupted.
However, The Master's answered. A layup by
VanKooten, followed by a pair of threes from
Miller, rebuilt their double-digit cushion. Benedictine continued to battle, with Northam and Moore converting inside, but the Mustangs held a 49–41 lead entering the fourth.
Fourth Quarter
Benedictine opened the fourth strong, with
Elliott burying a corner three to trim the deficit to 49–45. Arvallo added another driving layup moments later, keeping the Redhawks within striking distance at 52–47.
But once again, second-chance points proved costly. The Master's grabbed a series of offensive rebounds and turned them into scores, while the Redhawks went cold from the floor at a critical stretch. A pair of layups and free throws pushed the Mustangs back ahead by double digits.
Despite late baskets from Moore and free throws from Elliott, The Master's closed out the game at the line and controlled the final minutes to seal the 67–53 victory.
Key Performers:
Looking Ahead:
The Redhawks are back on the court on Thursday, January 29
th as they take on Arizona Christian on the road.
