The College of Saint Benedict basketball team (2-0 overall) defeated Wartburg 78-70 in the Blazers' first game of the UW-Stout Thanksgiving Tournament.

The Blazers started the game with a quick 4-0 lead before falling behind Wartburg 10-9 with 14 minutes left.  Wartburg kept the lead until seven minutes remained in the half, at which point CSB jumped ahead 24-23, eventually leading 35-28 heading into half time.

The lead remained with the Blazers throughout the remainder of the game, who strung together 9-2 and 12-4 leads in the second half to pick up the win.  The Blazers barely outscored Wartburg in the final 20 minutes of the game, with second-half scores of 43 and 42.  However, CSB prevailed, winning 78-70.

The Blazers were led by junior wing Amy Stifter (Watertown, MN, Watertown-Mayer), who had her second consecutive 20+ point game with 22 points.  Senior wing Mindy Schmidt (Brooklyn Park, MN, Champlin Park) was 6-of-10 from the field, contributing 16 points toward the win.  Junior wing Joelle Joelle Waytashek (Lino Lakes, MN, Centennial) also had 14 points and five steals.

CSB heads to the championship game of the tournament, facing the UW-Stout/St. Scholastica winner.  The games takes place at 3 p.m. tomorrow.

Box Score