BOX SCORE

The College of Saint Benedict basketball team (21-5 overall) overcame a 12-point halftime deficit and went on to defeat St. Catherine University 69-61, a win which advances the Blazers to the MIAC Playoff Championship.

The game started with three lead changes in five minutes of play before the Blazers led the Wildcats 12-10.  They managed to extend the margin to 18-13 until St. Catherine tied the score at 20 with 8:31 to go.  The Blazers were scoreless for seven minutes as the Wildcats moved on a 9-0 run.  St. Catherine capitalized on another 6-3 run before the half ended with the Blazers trailing 35-23.

The Wildcats extended their lead to 16 with a 6-2 run to start the second half with a 41-25 lead.  The Blazers never backed down, capitalizing on a ten-minute, 22-5 run and regaining the lead at 47-46 with eight minutes remaining. CSB stayed ahead for the majority of the rest of the half, until a Wildcat three-pointer tied the score at 58 and forced the game into overtime.

The Blazers outscored the Wildcats 11-3 in overtime, sinking 3-of-8 field goals and making 5-of-8 freethrows to secure the 69-61 win.

CSB was led by junior post Heather Gillund (Ham Lake, MN, Blaine), who scored 25 points and grabbed nine rebounds.  Junior forward Whitney Canton (Pine Island, Minn., Pine Island) also added 13 points, while junior wing Amy Stifter (Watertown, MN, Watertown-Mayer)contributed 12 points.

Up next is the MIAC Playoff Championship, in which the Blazers host St. Thomas on Sat., Feb. 27 at 3 p.m. in Claire Lynch Hall.  The winner earns an automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament beginning Fri., March 5.