In the 2018-2019 season opener the Benedictine College Ravens topped the USAO Drovers by the score of 82-54. The Ravens coming off a 14-17 season where they finished 4th in the Heart of American Athletic Conference south division. The USAO Drovers are coming off a 21-11 season as they would finish as the 5th ranked team in the Sooner Athletic Conference.

Early in the first half the Ravens gained the lead and never looked back. The Ravens started the game in a 9-0 run before the Drovers Forward Marquise Williams scored the first two points of this season. The Drovers offense was held to just 27% from the field as they allowed 48% shooting percentage to the Ravens. Benedictine College offense was clicking as they would connect on 11 three-pointers and would shoot 37% from behind the 3 point line. The Drovers would hit 6 three-pointers and would shoot 22%. Points in the paint was a big factor in this contest as the Ravens would put together 36 in comparison to 16 from the Drovers.

The Drovers got a proficient first game from Greyden Steinmetz as he would tally 14 points off the bench on 5-8 shooting and would finish with 2 rebounds. Steinmetz is a SO. transfer from Redlands Junior College where he averaged 13.7 points a game. Geno Artison finished the game with 9 points on 3-12 shooting and 6 rebounds. Artison is a SR. transfer from the University of Tulsa. In his JR. year he averaged 11.1 minutes per game and played in 30 games for the Golden Hurricanes. Marquise Williams made his present known down low collecting 11 boards and 5 points. Williams is SR. transfer from Lincoln University where he averaged 9.1 points per game and 7.9 rebounds.

Benedictine College leading scorer was Thomas O’Connor as he finished with 19 points on 7-15 shooting and 3-7 from behind the arc. Adam Kutney finished the night with 13 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Jaiden Bristol scored 12 point on 5-8 shooting with 10 rebound to complete the double-double.

The Drovers will battle the University of Southwest Mustangs on Monday November 5th, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. CT. Benedictine College next contest is against the Park University Pirates on Monday November 5th, 2018 at 7:00 p.m. CT.

Sophomore Guard Greyden Steinmetz Said “Tough game, we’ll have to watch film and grow from it.“

Senior Foward Marquise Williams Said “We didn’t perform no where near what we’re capable of I think a lot guys were just getting their first game jitters out the way even myself. It’s a quick turnaround on Monday we got a another game we have to regroup and come together and don’t let this first game define us. We have a good coaching staff & I enjoy playing for them they believe in my abilities & encourage me to stay confident & play my game something most players don’t get a chance to experience.“