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Northfield, Minn. -
Whitney Canton had 17 points, six rebounds, and four assists as the Blazers rolled to a fourth straight victory and 11th straight against the Carleton Knights on Monday night (Jan. 21). The victory came on the road in Northfield by a score of 75-63. The Blazer's record improves to 12-4 (10-3 MIAC) on the year and drops the Knights' record to 4-12 (4-9 MIAC). The win and a Gustavus loss to St. Olaf's means the Blazers move into a tie for third place among the MIAC standings along with St. Mary's and Gustavus.
Additionally, with St. Thomas falling to Concordia, the Blazers are also now just one game out of first place, just past the midway point of the conference season.
The Blazers jumped out to a 12-2 start, including seven from
Hannah Hylla, who finished with a career-high 16 points. From that point on they never trailed, squashing every Carleton attempt to claw their way back in the game.
With nine minutes to play in the first half, Carleton guard Skylar Tsutsui's jumper cut the Blazer lead to three points at 20-17. Despite this attempt, the Blazers responded effectively by shooting 48% from the field and 83% from the charity stripe and building a 43-21 halftime lead.
Despite their recent winning streak, the Blazers showed no signs of being comfortable with a double-digit halftime lead. Five minutes into the second half,
Whitney Canton's layup stretched her team's lead to 49-25, and the Blazers never looked back. The Blazers maintained a double-digit lead for most of the second half, until Skylar Tsutsui's jumper made it an eight point lead with just under four minutes remaining. However, that was the closest the Knights would come to a comeback as the Blazers held on for a 75-63 victory.
The 75-point offensive outburst was the second highest of the year for the Blazers, who surpassed that only on Nov. 28 when they put up 87 against Hamline. Their 18 team assists were the highest this year, and reflects how well the offense has been coming together as a single unit over this recent four-game winning streak.
A big reason for the victory was an impressive night on the boards for the Blazers, who outrebounded the Knights by an impressive 43-to-32 margin.
Morgan Dale led the way for the Blazers, with an exceptional 16 rebounds, which ties her career high she set earlier this season against St. Thomas.
Saint Benedict Basketball will host the Macalester Scots in a return to Claire Lynch Hall for the first time in 11 days this Wednesday (Jan. 23). Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30. It will be Pack the Gym night in Clarie Lynch Hall, which will also feature the Blazer volleyball team at halftime, as they are honored for their exceptional season, where the advanced to both the MIAC Championship game, and the NCAA Regional Final.