The College of Saint Benedict basketball team slipped past Macalester 68-63 in a close game in St. Paul, Minn., tonight.

The Blazers struggled at the start of the game, falling behind 13-5 in the initial six minutes of the half.  The Scots held onto their lead until five minutes remained on the clock when CSB finally tied the score, later pulling ahead 23-21.  The Blazers stayed in the lead, finishing the half 30-25.

Macalester quickly snatched back the lead in the first three minutes of the second half with a 9-0 run to pull ahead 34-30.  The Scots kept the lead until 14:20 flashed on the scoreboard when the CSB inched ahead 41-40.  The next six minutes were nail-biters with eight lead changes in that time.  The Blazers, however, managed to hang on for the remaining six minutes to clench the win 68-63.

The Blazer bench scored 40 of the team's 68 points.  Senior forward Ariel Tauer (Edina, MN, Edina) and sophomore post Heather Gillund (Ham Lake, MN, Blaine) led CSB with 14 points each.  Tauer also grabbed eight rebounds.  Sophomore guard Abby Richardson (Storm Lake, IA, St. Mary's) also scored 12 points.

Up next the Blazers return home on Wed., Feb. 4 to take on St. Olaf at 7:30 p.m.

Box Score