BOX SCORE
Fans in Claire Lynch Hall saw another nail-biter tonight as the College of Saint Benedict basketball team (5-1 overall, 2-1 MIAC) defeated Hamline 73-71.
Hamline started the game with a 4-0 leadi n the first minute of play before CSB tied the score one minute later. The Blazers maintained control for the next four minutes, leading by as much as five points before the Pipers tied it up at 14 points a piece with 14 minutes to go. The score was still tied 1:30 later, until Hamline took the lead with 12 minutes remaining.
The Blazers kept right on their heals, tying the score at 19 with nine minutes to go. CSB went on an eight-point run to lead 27-19 with seven minutes on the clock, but the Pipers kept the pressure on, only giving the Blazers a three-point lead at 35-32 heading into halftime.
The teams exchanged points for the first five minutes of the second half before Hamline took the lead 42-41 with 15 minutes remaining. Five minutes and four lead changes later, the Pipers were still in the lead 51-29. They were able to extend the score by as much as six points, but the Blazers fought back, bringing the score within three at 61-58 with five minutes on the clock.
At this point, CSB's senior post
Heather Gillund (Ham Lake, MN, Blaine) scored 11 consecutive points to bring the Blazers ahead 69-65 with two minutes to go. The Pipers managed to tie the score at 71 with 20 seconds left on the clock, but senior wing
Amy Stifter (Watertown, MN, Watertown-Mayer) sunk two freethrows to secure the Blazer win at 73-71.
Gillund led CSB with 17 points, 15 of which came in the second half. She also pulled down six rebounds. Stifter contributed 12 points while sophomore wing
Jamie Wollin (Litchfield, Minn., Litchfield) added nine. The Pipers were led by Mary Wilkowski, who had 23 points and nine rebounds
The Blazers next travel to St. Paul, MN, where they take on Bethel on Wed., Dec. 8 at 7:30 p.m. CSB is back at home for the last game before the holiday break on Sat., Dec. 11 at 3 p.m. against Gustavus
