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Colorado Springs, Colo. - The Saint Benedict basketball team started their season with a big win today (Nov. 16) at the Colorado College Tip-off Tournament, defeating host the Colorado College Tigers by a score of 75-53.

The win is a big step in the right direction as the Blazers attempt to return to prominence this year after an injury-plagued 2011-12 campaign that left them with a bit of a sour taste in their mouths. The win is the fourth straight season opening win for the Blazers.

The Blazers got into a bit of trouble early, finding themselves down 15-10 mid-way through the first half. Their response to the deficit was a run of 10 unanswered points, capped off by two free throws from first-year forward Mattie Lueck, who finished the night 7-for-7 from the charity stripe.

Not long after that, the Blazers again found themselves down, as the Tigers used an 8-to-2 to run to regain the lead with five minutes left to play in the first half.

However, the Blazers came roaring back for the second time that half, using a 10-to-4 run to close out the first half with a 33-27 lead. After the intermission, the Blazers never looked back, steadily building their 20 point lead and securing themselves their first victory the season.

One major factor in the Blazers big win was that they were able to force an astounding 27 turnovers and protect the ball, winning the turnover/steal differential by eight takeaways. This was highlighted by junior wing Tish Alexander, who had six steals, and sophomore wing Emily Lueck, who had four.

Although the Blazers used an all-around balanced attack to outrun the Tigers (their roster went 14 players deep, with no player playing more than 22 minutes), they were happy to get significant contributions from the Lueck sisters, who combined to score 30 points. Emily's 16 and Mattie's 14 made the pair the top scorers for the Blazers

Both the Blazers and Tigers were held to a 35 percent field goal percentage, as the offenses try to work out the kinks in their system early in the year. On the plus side, the Blazers were still able to score 75 points despite shooting only 35 percent, and shot 81 percent from the free throw line.

The Blazers will return to action tomorrow at 3 p.m. when they will take on Nebraska-Wesleyan. With another win tomorrow the Blazers would be the winners of the Colorado College Tip-off Tournament.