Minneapolis – A 39-point outburst in the second half led the Saint Benedict basketball team past Augsburg tonight (Dec. 12), sending the Blazers into the break on a high note.
The Blazers (6-3, 4-2 MIAC) turned a three-point lead into a 21-point advantage at its peak in the second half, before taking one of their most lopsided victories of the season. A 17-to-1 second half run was capped by a pair of
Jamie Wollin free throws with under seven minutes left, and the Blazers were in cruise control the rest of the way out.
The Blazers made 18 of their 24 free throws on the night in the second half, as their success at the line made up for 18-of-54 (33%) night from the field. It marked the third most they made from charity stripe this season, as well as their fifth time finishing 75% or better from the line.
The loss is the third raight for Augsburg (3-5, 1-5 MIAC), who last won on Dec. 3.
Brianna Barrett again led the Blazers in scoring, this time putting in 15 to pace the team for the fifth straight game. For just the second time all season, the Blazers finished with three players in double figures, with
Tish Alexander adding 13 and
Whitney Canton chipping in 11.
The Blazers never trailed but led by just three at the break, as the Auggies climbed back in the game after falling behind by as much as nine in the first half. Saint Benedict made just eight field goals in the first, but three came from long range to prove the difference as Augsburg also struggled from the field. The Auggies connected on just 26% of their first half field goals, posting the same mark for the game (15-of-57).
Twice early in the second half, the Auggies got within two, but a series of turnovers and miscues kept them from every taking the lead, as they gave it away 28 times in the night. The Blazers tied their second best mark of the year with 15 steals, turning the turnovers into 17 points to pull away in the second half.
Alexander and
Hannah Hylla each finished with eight rebounds as the Blazers pulled down 41 on the night, the fourth time they've topped 40 on the season.
The win leaves the Blazers with plenty to build on heading into the break, keeping them right on the heels of the league leaders as Gustavus and St. Thomas have yet to lose, while Saint Mary's and Concordia have just one loss. They will now rest up and get ready to make a move in the second half of the season, returning to the court on Jan. 2 when they host Bethel at 7:30 p.m. in Claire Lynch Hall.
