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Winona, Minn. -- For the second straight game the Saint Benedict basketball team (3-2, 0-2 MIAC) battled back from a double-digit second-half deficit to take a lead late in the second-half. Unfortunately, for the second straight game they were also unable to complete the comeback, and lost to the Saint Mary's Cardinals (4-1, 2-1 MIAC) by a 67-64 score.

The Cardinals went on a 10-2 run early in the first half that opened up an 18-6 lead over the Blazers just eight minutes into the game. The Blazers responded with a couple layups from first-year point guard Annie Bittberner and junior guard Tish Alexander to cut their deficit to eight points. Unfortunately they were unable to disrupt the Cardinals' shooting rhythm or claw back in the game. SMU shot an impressive 14-for-28 (50%) from the floor in that first-half and took a 36-19 lead going into halftime.

The second half was the Blazers turn to dominate. They went on an 18-4 run over the course of four minutes to cut the Saint Mary's lead to 49-44 with just over nine minutes to play. Senior forward Morgan "Windex" Dale scored eight of those 18 points, including two three pointers.

The Cardinals responded immediately with six unanswered points of their own to build an 11 point lead before the Blazers used eight points from senior guard Brianna Barrett points to go on a 12-2 run. Suddenly the once 19-point Cardinal-lead had turned into a tie ballgame at 59-59 with 3:44 showing on the clock.

Both teams held the other scoreless until 1:15 to play when first-year point guard Alison Newton made a layup to give the Blazers their first lead of the game at 61-59.

The Cardinals responded quickly with a three-pointer from Darcey Rice to take back a one-point lead with one minute remaining. On the ensuing possession Alexander brought the score back in Blazer favor with a layup to bring the score to 62-61 with 34 seconds to play. The Cardinals responded with another three pointer to take a 64-62 lead they would never relinquish, and eventually defeated the Blazers 67-64.

The silver lining for Saint Benedict was that they shot 8-for-18 (44.4%) from beyond the arc, which is by far the highest three-point shooting percentage they have shot all season. Their 7-for-11 (63.6%) three-point shooting percentage in the second half was the highest three-point percentage they have shot in one half as well as the most three-pointers they have made in one half this year.

Barrett's 15 points meant she extended her double-digit scoring streak to nine, a streak that stretches all the way back to last season. She also shot 3-4 (75.0%) from three-point land.

The Blazers return to action this Monday when they will host the Hamline Pipers in another MIAC matchup. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.