SURPRISE, Ariz. – The OUAZ women's basketball team returned to action on Thursday night and secured an 82-74 win over Benedictine Mesa at Willow Canyon High School.
 
OUAZ (2-0) used a school record 31 points from Alexis Smith and a big third quarter to record the team's first-ever win against the crosstown rivals. The Spirit outscored Benedictine Mesa (0-1) 28-19 in the third quarter.
 
Smith set the school record on 9 of 15 shooting while converting 10 of 12 at the foul line. She also tied for the team lead with four steals and grabbed seven rebounds with two assists.
 
OUAZ shot 43.5 percent from the field and made seven 3-pointers, including five in the third quarter. They forced the Redhawks into 25 turnovers and converted them into 22 points.
 
Bailey Osmer added 15 points and Celeste Lira had 10 for the Spirit. Osmer led the way with nine rebounds.
 
Smith and Osmer combined for 15 points during a four-minute run in the third quarter that saw OUAZ outscored BenU 20-5. The lead was 16 with 7:17 to play in the game before the visitors used a 15-5 run to get as close as six in the final minute.
 
Grace Russell led Mesa with 22 points.
 
The Spirit will now take to the road for four straight games. The span begins on Wednesday when they face Saint Katherine for the second time this season.