CHANDLER, Ariz. -- The 12th-ranked Battlin' Bears rode another great offensive second half to their second victory in the Cactus Classic on Thursday.
Despite the Battlin' Bears shooting over 43% from the field while holding the Redhawks to just 30% shooting, 11 offensive rebounds from Benedictine-Mesa kept the game tied at 32-32 going into the halftime break. Furthermore, the Rocky women suffered nine turnovers in the first half. Ky Oliver led the hot shooting, hitting all three of her three-point attempts for nine first-half points.
Like their game Tuesday, Rocky came out of the locker room firing with a 26-point third quarter, behind 58% shooting from the field and five-of-six from three-point range. Four of their threes came amid a 15-7 run midway through the quarter that gave Rocky a seven-point lead. Benedictine wasn't shying away however, as they shot over 50% as a team in the third quarter and were able to cut their deficit down to four entering the fourth quarter.
For the second straight game, the Battlin' Bears turned the ball over just once in the fourth quarter, which was crucial in holding off the Redhawks who continued to keep pace with the Battlin' Bears, hitting four three-pointers in the fourth quarter. The Rocky women held a size advantage over Benedictine-Mesa and used that advantage to get to the free throw line 12 times in the fourth quarter, capitalizing with 11 makes. After struggling from the field for the first three quarters, Gracee Lekvold led the charge in the final 10 minutes, scoring eight of her 13 points in the fourth quarter as Rocky earned their second win in as many games in the Cactus Classic.
Dominique Stephens led the Battlin' Bears with her fourth double-double of the season, scoring 19 points with 15 rebounds and two blocks on the day. Morgan Baird scored 17 points on six-of-eight shooting from the field, Ky Oliver scored 15 points on five-of-seven shooting from three and dished five assists, and Gracee Lekvold added six assists and five rebounds to her 13 total points.