LISLE, Ill. – MSOE men's basketball walked into Saturday's game fresh off their first NACC win of the year and looked to keep things going against Benedictine. The first half of the road contest didn't play out the way the Red & White would have liked so they reversed their fortunes with an impressive second frame comeback to take home the win over the Eagles by five.

FINAL SCORE
MSOE RAIDERS – 85
Benedictine – 80

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Even though MSOE (4-3, 2-1 NACC) held their own in the first half of Saturday's contest against Benedictine (4-6, 2-2 NACC), the Raiders defense couldn't stop their opponent from wracking up 48 points by halftime. The Eagles made eight baskets from behind the arc and put the Red & White down by 14 entering the intermission.
• The Raider didn't wait long to begin their comeback, however. MSOE opened up the second period on a 20-6 run and had completely erased Benedictine's lead with 12:31 left to go in the ballgame.
• Tied at 54-54, the Red & White continued to outpace the Eagles and took a hold of the lead for good on a Donovan Carter jumper with just over nine and a half minutes to play. The Raiders assembled a lead as high as ten points in the waning minutes of the game which was more than enough to take down Benedictine by five on the road.

RAIDER REMARKS

• The Raiders snapped a two game losing streak to Benedictine and evened up their series over the last ten games against the Eagles at 5-5.
• Teammates Donovan Carter and Mason Dopirak combined for 45 of the Red & White's 85 total points. Carter set a new career high in the game with 21 while Dopirak registered his third 20+ point contest of the campaign.

MSOE STAT TRACKER
Points – Mason Dopirak (24)
Rebounds – Mason Dopirak (8)
Assists – Mason Dopirak (6)
Steals – Three with one
Blocks – Francisco Salazar (2)

WHO'S ON DECK
The Raiders will return to the Kern Center for their final two home games of the 2022 calendar year starting with UW-Stevens Point on Wednesday night. Game time is slated for 7:00 pm.