BOX SCORE

The College of Saint Benedict basketball team (13-4 overall, 11-3 MIAC) slipped past St. Catherine University 84-77 in overtime this evening.

The first half began with the Blazers ahead 7-4 with 16 minutes left on the clock.  The Wildcats managed to tie the score at nine and 11 before grasping a 14-13 lead with 12 minutes remaining.  At this point, SCU compiled a 10-2 run, continuing on to hold a 29-20 lead until CSB put together a 9-4 run over the final three minutes of the half, trailing 33-29 heading into the locker room.

The Blazers finally found a lead 17 minutes into the second half with a score of 39-38, but the Wildcats stole it right back two minutes later at 42-41.  Two lead changes later, SCU was still on top, where the lead remained for the next 10 minutes until CSB clenched a 62-60 lead with four minutes on the clock.  The remainder of the second half was close as the Wildcats inched ahead with 1:30 left and two tied scores later, the Blazers were still behind 68-67 with 30 seconds left.  SCU inched ahead two more points, but junior wing Joelle Waytashek (Lino Lakes, MN, Centennial) sunk a three-pointer with two seconds left to tie the score at 70 and force the game into overtime.

CSB scored the first basket of the five-minute overtime, and kept their lead, sinking 3-of-6 field goals, including sinking both attempted three-pointers, as well as shooting 6-of-9 from the freethrow line.  The Blazers went on to win 84-77.

Leading the Blazers was junior post Heather Gillund (Ham Lake, MN, Blaine), who score 23 points with an 80% field goal percentage.  Gillund also grabbed eight rebounds.  Junior wing Amy Stifter (Watertown, MN, Watertown-Mayer) contributed 18 points while junior forward Laura Canton (Pine Island, MN, Pine Island) added 17.  As a team, CSB shot an impressive 48% from the field.

Up next, the Blazers travel to Winona, Minn., to take on St. Mary's on Sat., Jan. 30 at 3 p.m.