The Benedictine Mesa women's basketball team showed grit and resilience on Saturday, overcoming a slow start and nearly erasing a double-digit deficit, but ultimately fell 69–63 to OUAZ in a hard-fought contest.
First Quarter:
The opening quarter proved challenging for the Redhawks as OUAZ jumped out to an early 8–0 lead before Benedictine could settle in. Despite battling on the glass—with strong early rebounding efforts from
Shyla Moore and
Alannah Northam—turnovers and cold shooting slowed Benedictine's momentum.
The Redhawks finally broke through late in the quarter when
Leanna Lepe converted a steal into a three-point play, followed shortly by a deep three from
Olivia Arvallo. The offense began to click in the final minute, with
Naomi Elliott scoring on a tip-in and Moore beating the buzzer with a layup to cut the deficit to 16–12 after one.
Second Quarter:
Benedictine carried that momentum into the second quarter. Moore and Elliott dominated the offensive glass, converting second-chance points to pull the Redhawks within one. Moore's and-one at the nine-minute mark brought the crowd to life, trimming the OUAZ lead to 16–15.
The Redhawks tied the game at 19–19 after Arvallo calmly sank a pair of free throws. But despite the defensive pressure creating turnovers, OUAZ responded with a run of its own, stretching the lead back to double digits behind timely three-pointers and transition scoring.
Still, Benedictine kept attacking. Nowell and Moore added late buckets, but OUAZ closed the half with consecutive jumpers to take a 36–25 advantage into the locker room.
Third Quarter:
The Redhawks came out determined in the third, with
Naomi Elliott drilling a big three early to chip into the deficit. Benedictine forced turnovers and got scoring contributions from Moore, Northam, and Lepe, gradually stabilizing the offense.
Elliott continued her strong quarter with a mid-range jumper and an assist to Lepe, who finished a key layup to bring the Redhawks within 10. Despite OUAZ connecting from deep late in the period, Benedictine refused to fade. Lepe beat the clock with a layup in the final seconds, sending the Redhawks into the fourth quarter down 50–41.
Fourth Quarter:
Benedictine Mesa delivered its strongest push of the night in the fourth quarter. Arvallo sparked the comeback with a layup and a big corner three, cutting the margin to 52–46. Moments later, Lepe drilled another three to tie the game at 52–52, completing a stunning 11–2 run.
OUAZ briefly reclaimed the lead, but the Redhawks struck right back. Arvallo hit two clutch free throws to give Benedictine its first lead of the game at 56–55 with just over four minutes remaining.
From there, the game became a back-and-forth battle. Moore's free throws and Nowell's tip-in kept the Redhawks within reach, but OUAZ made just enough plays in the closing minutes—capitalizing on transition opportunities and converting late free throws—to hold off Benedictine's comeback attempt.
A final layup from Lepe brought Benedictine within five in the final seconds, but OUAZ secured the rebound on the last possession to seal the 69–63 final.
Key Players:
Looking Ahead: The Redhawks are back on the court on Thursday, February 19
th as they take on The Master's at home.
