RIVER FOREST, Ill. - The Benedictine University women's basketball team improved to 11-3 on the season and 8-1 in NACC play with a 72-58 victory at Concordia University Chicago.

FINAL SCORE
Benedictine 72, Concordia Chicago 58

THE DETAILS
• Benedictine scored the first seven points and did not trail in the game
• Venita Parsons opened the contest with a three-pointer on the game's first possession
• DeKayla Crayton connected on a jumper midway through the opening quarter to extend the lead to double figures at 13-3
• The lead would reach 14 points in the opening quarter but the hosts rallied to tie the game at 25-25 with 6:10 remaining in the first half
• Benedictine responded by scoring eight straight points to open a 33-25 lead following a three-point play from Raven Willis
• Benedictine led by six at halftime and struck for the first six points of the second half to move ahead 42-30 on a jumper from Briana Hamilton
• The advantage extended to 15 points at the end of the third quarter as Benedictine closed with a 7-1 run finished on a free throw from Alanna Ferry
• The run continued into the fourth quarter and Benedictine opened a 19-point lead at 64-45 after two Nicole Botich free throws with 6:32 left
• Concordia Chicago could not pull any closer than 11 points the rest of the way

FROM THE COACH
"We did a nice job of attacking the various defenses presented by Concordia Chicago," head coach Charlie Averkamp said. "All week long we discussed handling runs and did a nice job with those. Venita (Parsons) did a great job handling the ball for us and Alanna (Ferry) hit some big shots. Every game at this point of the season is big so we need to be ready for each team."

STAT LEADERS
• Four players reached double figures for Benedictine led by 13 from Ferry, who also distributed six assists and three steals
• Willis and Botich each put up 12 points with Botich grabbing 11 rebounds
• After being outrebounded in three consecutive contests, Benedictine held a 41-30 edge on the glass
• Benedictine shot 50 percent in the first half and finished the contest at 48.3 percent

UP NEXT
Benedictine (11-3, 8-1 NACC) moved back into a tie for first after a loss by Wisconsin Lutheran. Benedictine hosts Concordia Wisconsin on Saturday afternoon at 4:15 p.m.