BOX SCORE

The College of Saint Benedict basketball team (13-1 overall, 10-1 MIAC) extended its winning streak to nine in a 73-61 victory over St. Mary's this evening.

The Blazers started the game off with a 7-5 lead in the first two minutes of play and proceeded to string together a 6-0 run over the next 2:30 to lead 13-5.  CSB continued to extend its lead, adding an 11-6 run to lead 24-11 with nine minutes left in the half.  The Blazers outscored the Cardinals 16-5 over the course of the rest of the half to lead 40-16 going into the locker room.  Strong halftime percentages from both the freethrow line (10-for-10, 100%) and from the field (14-for-25, 56%) gave CSB the cushion it needed.

The second half began with the two teams exchanging points as the Blazers led 45-20 with 16:30 left on the clock.  Over the course of the half, St. Mary's was able to cut down CSB's lead to 13 points at 51-38 with 10 minutes remaining in the half.  The Blazers continued to keep their distance, bringing the lead to 18 points at 58-40 with 7:30 to go.  However, the Cardinals again put on the pressure, cutting the lead to nine points at 66-57 with two minutes left on the clock, but St. Mary's couldn't make up the difference as the Blazers went on to win 73-61.

Leading CSB with 18 points was senior post Heather Gillund (Ham Lake, MN, Blaine), who was 8-for-10 from the field and 2-for-2 from the freethrow line.  Senior wing Amy Stifter (Watertown, MN, Watertown-Mayer) also contributed 14 points, while sophomore forward Morgan Dale (Jamestown, ND, Jamestown) added 11 points and five rebounds.  THe Cardinals were led by Jess Miller with 21 points.

Up next for the Blazers is a home game against St. Catherine on Wed., Jan. 19 at 7:30 p.m.