The Benedictine University Mesa men's basketball team earned its first road victory of the season Thursday afternoon, defeating Warner Pacific 89-73 at CC Perry Gymnasium.
Benedictine shot an impressive 62.0 percent from the field and out rebounded the Knights 39-34 while placing five players in double figures.
The opening half was tightly contested throughout. Benedictine jumped out to an early six-point lead before Warner Pacific battled back and briefly moved in front late in the period. The Redhawks responded in the closing seconds when Ah-Zion Applewhaite converted a layup off an assist from Taevon Pierre-Louis, giving Benedictine a 43-42 advantage at halftime.
The Redhawks seized control after the break, holding Warner Pacific to just 31 second-half points while shooting 63 percent from the floor in the final 20 minutes. Benedictine gradually stretched the lead into double figures before using a decisive 24-13 run over the middle portion of the half to put the game out of reach. The advantage grew to as many as 19 points with just under four minutes remaining.
Pierre-Louis turned in a stellar all-around performance, recording a double-double with 24 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists while shooting 8-for-13 from the field. He also added a block and helped anchor Benedictine's rebounding effort.
Trenten Lavender added 14 points, while Elijah Edwards chipped in 12 points and seven rebounds. Naajy Bynum-Bey scored 12 points, and Alex Riddick provided an efficient spark off the bench with 10 points and five rebounds.
Benedictine dominated inside, outscoring Warner Pacific 46-30 in points in the paint and converting at a high rate around the basket throughout the afternoon. The Redhawks also connected on 22 free throws and finished with 14 assists on 31 made field goals.
