A team effort allowed the College of Saint Benedict basketball team to coast past Bethel University 73-36 in Claire Lynch Hall on Wed., Dec. 3 for CSB's first conference win of the year.

The Blazers took a lead of 6-0 to start off the game and never looked back.  The Royals sank two baskets and brought the score within two, but that's a close as they ever got.  CSB controlled the rest of the half and headed to the locker room with a cushioned lead of 47-19.

The Blazers started the second half off strong, making a 12-5 run the first ten minutes.  However, the key this half was rebounding.  CSB limited second chances for Bethel by grabbing 20 defensive rebounds.  They also managed to keep the Royals' 6-2 senior post Annegret Nautsch scoreless in the second half and only allowed her one rebound.  The game ended with a final score of 73-36.

A collection of sophomores led the charge, including Danielle Frank (Caledonia, MN, Caledonia), who controlled the paint on both offense and defense.  She made scoring as difficult for Nautsch as possible underneath the basket, while also leading CSB on offense, scoring 15 points and grabbing 13 rebounds.  Amy Stifter (Watertown, MN, Watertown-Mayer) contributed 13 points, while Anne Kuduk (Shoreview, MN. , Mounds View) pulled down ten rebounds and chipped in eight points.  However, the win was a team effort as 12 Blazers scored throughout the game.

This is head coach Mike Durbin's 497th career wins, closing the gap on the 500-win milestone.

The Blazers next match up against Carleton College on Sat., Dec. 6 at 3 p.m. in Claire Lynch Hall.

Box Score