The College of Saint Benedict basketball team (10-1 overall, 7-1 MIAC) defeated Concordia 77-70 in Claire Lynch this afternoon.

The Blazers began the first half with a 6-0 lead, but the Cobbers were able to bring the score within one at 9-8 with 12:30 remaining in the half. CSB continued to push through by compiling 13-5 and 10-5 runs to lead 32-18 with 3:15 remaining. The Blazers then made four out of its next five shots to lead 41-22 heading into halftime. An impressive offense paved the way for CSB as the Blazers shot a 56% field goal percentage overall, including another 56% percentage from beyond the arc.

The Cobbers made the second half interesting, bringing the score within 11 at 50-39 with 15 minutes left on the clock.  Concordia then went on a 18-8 run over the next nine minutes to bring the score within one point at 58-57.  The Blazers never gave up their lead, extending it back to five points at 64-59 with four minutes to go.  Freethrows secured the win for the Blazers as they made 8-of-10 in the last few minutes of the half, going on to win 77-70.

The Blazers were led by senior wing Joelle Waytashek (Lino Lakes, MN, Centennial) who had 16 points, 11 of which came in the second half.  Senior wing Amy Stifter (Watertown, MN, Watertown-Mayer) added 15 points and pulled down eight rebounds.  The Cobbers were led by Maggie Bauernfeind who had 21 points.

Stifter needs only 12 points to reach the 1,000 career points mark at CSB.

CSB next travels to St. Peter, MN to play Gustavus on Wed., Jan. 12 at 7:30 p.m.  The Blazers are home again on Sat., Jan. 15 where they host Augsburg at 3 p.m.