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Tomorrow (Jan. 30) the Saint Benedict Basketball (14-4, 12-3 MIAC) team travels to Arden Hills to take on the Bethel University Royals (4-14, 3-12 MIAC) in matchup of MIAC foes. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
The Palace of Arden Hills: The Blazers come into tomorrow's game riding an incredible 17-game win streak on the road against the Royals. Besides maintaining their impressive road record, the Blazers also have an opportunity to move into first-place in the MIAC standings, something no non-Blazer fans would have predicted at the beginning of the season. With a Concordia loss to St. Olaf and a Blazer win, the Blazers would move into a tie for first-place with the Cobbers.
About Bethel: After opening the season with a dismal seven game losing streak the Royals traveled 1,260 miles to get their first win of the season against Hardin-Simmons University in San Antonio, Texas. Despite the rough start, the Royals are 2-2 over their past four games and may finally be turning their fortunes around. Last time out, they dismantled the Carleton Knights by a score 71-49.
Last Meeting: The Blazers have already defeated the Royals once this season, getting their first win of 2013 by a 65-57 score in St. Joseph. The Blazers jumped out to a 10-0 lead and never looked back.
Brianna Barrett had 18 points to lead the Blazers, who never trailed in the game.
Tish Alexander had one of her best nights from beyond the arc in the game, going 4-of-6 from three-point land. The Blazer defense held the Royals to a 31.3 shooting percentage from the floor, one of the lowest shooting percentages for a Blazer opponent this year.
The Storyline: Which team will be able to extend their recent hot streaks and come away with a victory? The Royals have doubled their season total over the past four games, taking advantage of the middle of the pack in Macalester and Carleton. The Blazers on the other hand, have a chance to extend their season-high seven game win streak and possibly move into a tie for first-place in the conference. With a loss they would likely drop to third or fourth atop the tight MIAC standings.
Who To Watch: During the Blazers current winning streak,
Whitney Canton has given the Blazers an equally potent weapon, scoring double digits in each of the past six and averaging 15 points per game during that span. Just a first-year,
Mattie Lueck moved into the starting line-up for the injured
Jamie Wollin last Saturday, and promptly scored 13 points to help the Blazers to victory.
Morgan Dale's knack for coming up with big rebounds has been even more prevalent of late, as she has averaged 10.2 rebounds over her past seven games. She will have her hands full however, with the MIAC's leading rebounder in Royal first-year center Rachel Parupsky. Parupsky has reeled in 9.2 boards on average this year, almost one more rebound than anyone else in the conference. She also is averaging 14.5 points per game and is a double-double threat every time she steps on the floor.
Last Time Out: On Saturday the Blazers got one of their biggest victories of the year, notching a 68-66 win on the road against Gustavus. There were 14 lead changes in the closely-contested match, but ultimately the Gusties weren't able to stop a Blazer attack that featured five players scoring in double-figures. Key to the win was a 19-for-21 (90%) night from the free throw line for the Blazers.
Best Friends to Sworn Enemies: Just a year ago, Royal first-year center Rachel Parupsky and Blazer first-year forward
Katie Hultberg were teammates playing alongside each other at Mounds View High School. Tomorrow however, they will find themselves on opposite benches, both hoping spoil the others plan for victory.
