MESA, Ariz. – Hope International women's basketball outscored Benedictine Mesa 21-8 in the fourth period to complete a thrilling road comeback, defeating the Redhawks 59-58 on Saturday.

The Royals trailed by as many as 14 points late in the third period, but got seven points apiece from Aliyah Gonzalez and Nicole Chuang in the final 10 minutes to improve to 18-4 on the season and 11-1 in the Great Southwest Athletic Conference. 

HIU held BENU to 2 of 17 shooting in the fourth quarter.

Gonzalez topped HIU with a game-high tying 20 points, her fifth 20-point effort this season. She made 7 of 14 floor shots, and added six rebounds, two blocks and two steals. Chuang chipped in 12 points and a pair of steals, while Amira Austin had eight points and a team-high 10 rebounds.

Angelina De Leon also contributed five of her eight points in the turnaround fourth quarter.

The Royals produced a season single game-high of eight blocks but committed 21 turnovers, their second-most in a contest.

HIU trailed 50-36 in the third quarter, cutting the deficit to 12 on De Leon's jumper with seven seconds remaining.

That started a 14-0 run as the Royals held the Redhawks without a point for six and a half minutes. The run included a three-pointer from Gonzalez, and two free throws by De Leon knotted the score at 50-50 with 5:27 to play.

Alannah Northam's two free throws gave BENU a 52-50 lead, but Natalie Acuna tied the score with a layup for HIU.

Northam completed a traditional three-point play with 4:04 remaining as BENU took a 55-52 lead. The Royals would keep BENU off the board for the next three minutes, getting a De Leon bucket and two Chuang free throws to retake a 56-55 lead with 1:04 on the clock.

Naomi Elliott scored inside for the Redhawks to regain a one-point lead for the home side, but Gonzalez got inside for a layup to provide a 58-57 advantage for the Royals.

Elliott drew a foul and made 1 of 2 at the line to tie the score at 58-58, and Chuang did the same with 15 seconds remaining. She made the first foul shot to give the Royals a 59-58 lead. BENU missed three game-winning shot attempts over the final seven seconds as HIU held on for the win.

BENU outscored HIU 17-8 in the third quarter as HIU struggled to 3 of 14 shooting.

Northam led the Redhawks with 20 points and Olivia Arvallo added 16. Elliott had a 14-point, 13-rebound double-double. BENU outrebounded the Royals 49-38.

HIU returns to Darling Pavilion on Thursday, February 12 for a 5:30 p.m. game against Arizona Christian.