Box Score
Daria Sprew scored a season-high 16 points as the Pioneers won a thriller 70-65 at Benedictine on Saturday. The Pioneers extended their winning streak to 13 as they snapped the Raven's 9-game streak. The game was tight throughout as neither team led by more than 7 points. MNU took a 17-10 lead after 8 minutes of play, but the Ravens fought back to tie the game at 25. Benedictine led by 2 at halftime, and the second half was played even tighter. The Ravens took a 4-point lead with 9 minutes remaining, but an 8-2 MNU run gave the Pioneers the lead. The teams traded buckets down the stretch as the game was tied 12 times.
With the score tied at 61 with under 5 minutes remaining, Sprew started to dominate. She scored in the post to give MNU the lead, then hit 2 free throws on the next possession to break another tie. After 2 Raven free throws, Sprew tossed in another tough bucket down low to give MNU a lead they would not relinquish. The Pioneers got stops on the next three Raven possessions, and
Rachel Boan and
Navia Palu hit free throws in the final seconds to ice the game.
Sprew led all scorers with 16 points. She also grabbed 6 rebounds.
Kelsey Balcom had 11 points and 7 rebounds.
Megan Balcom hit 3 threes for 11 points. And
Navia Palu had a game-high 6 assists.
The Pioneers are 23-2 (13-1 HAAC). The next game is Thursday at home vs. Baker (18-8, 11-3) at 5:30. MNU beat Baker by 3 in Baldwin City in January.
