Benet on top of its game

The expectation was high Thursday night, as was the billing to start the season's second half.

It was fourth-ranked Neuqua Valley with just one loss on the year against 3-point happy No. 17 Benet.

There was no confusion at the end to which team was better, at least on this night. The Redwings shell-shocked the Wildcats with quick passes and 3-point daggers, defeating Neuqua 71-35 in a nonconference game.

"In all honesty, all of us believed we were a lot better than that team," said Redwings guard Sidney Prasse, on a night when she poured in 20 points and stroked a 3-pointer seconds into the game. "We totally proved it tonight and we wanted people to know that Benet is really good, that we're a good team and it's fun to watch us."

Seven Redwings hit 3s, with two coming from Prasse and two from guard Kaity Ernsting. Ernsting launched a 3 moments after Prasse's first heave, giving Benet a 6-0 lead and forcing Neuqua coach Mike Williams to call a timeout. The Wildcats never responded.

Neuqua (12-2) picked up some hustle plays from freshman starter Nikki Lazar, but the Wildcats turned the ball over 13 times in the first two quarters and could not get the ball in the basket. Benet led 37-14 at halftime on Prasse's 14 points, while Neuqua sharpshooter Megan Doody was limited to one free-throw point in the Wildcats' 2-point second quarter.

"We handled their pressure really well," Benet coach Peter Paul said. "They're a team that wants to turn you over. I look at our chart and we weren't there, we didn't have 20 turnovers. Offensively, Sid's first basket really set the tone."

The tone was fast and all Benet. Prasse picked 6 steals and assisted on 6 baskets. Redwings point guard Danielle Canulli had 14 points for Benet, picking her spots on the drive while also hitting from deep.

"In the middle there was a lot of open room," Canulli said. "We did a lot of cutting. Our coach even said that's the most cutting we've done, even over practice. That definitely helped our game."

"Danielle is an excellent passer, but she's also an excellent driver," Prasse said. "She draws fouls and she usually finishes and that's a good thing. She did finish today and that's what we needed."

Ashley Veselik scored 9 points for Benet (12-5), getting her field goals on the block, while also hauling in 10 rebounds, while Ernsting scored 12.

Doody finished with 6 points for Neuqua.

"We were on," Paul said. "That led us to playing very good 'D.' We forced them to turn the ball over. We didn't commit many fouls to put them at the line and allow them to come back."