by The Benedictine Mesa Women’s Basketball Team earned a hard-fought 71-60 victory over Life Pacific on Thursday evening, using a strong fourth-quarter surge to secure the win.
The opening quarter was a defensive battle, with both teams struggling to find their offensive rhythm. Benedictine Mesa took an early 5-4 lead after a three-pointer from Mya Johnson, but Life Pacific responded. But late free throws and a jumper from Xaria Culver allowed the Redhawks to take a 12-10 advantage into the second period.
The second quarter featured multiple lead changes as both teams found their footing offensively. Life Pacific built a five-point lead behind strong play from Faith Schwantner and Mikayla Murphy, but Benedictine answered with key baskets from Mya Johnson and Alize Ruiz. In the final seconds, Ysabel Puente grabbed an offensive rebound and drilled a buzzer-beater to give the Warriors a narrow 32-31 lead at halftime.
Benedictine Mesa continued to battle in the third quarter, with Angelique Moreno and Maria Moore providing key scoring contributions. The Redhawks built a small cushion with back-to-back three-pointers, but Life Pacific stayed close with strong inside play. Late defensive stops and a clutch jumper from Mya Johnson helped Benedictine Mesa take a 50-45 lead into the final quarter.
In the fourth, the Redhawks pulled away with a combination of defensive pressure and clutch free throws. Maria Moore and Mya Johnson delivered key baskets down the stretch, while Alize Ruiz dominated the boards to limit Life Pacific’s second-chance opportunities. Benedictine Mesa sealed the 71-60 win with strong rebounding, defensive stops, and composure at the free-throw line.
Key Performers:
- Mya Johnson – 16 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists
- Alize Ruiz – 19 rebounds, 15 points, 2 steals
- Maria Moore – 12 points, 4 rebounds, 2 steals
