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Winona, Minn. – The Saint Benedict basketball team suffered its second straight loss tonight (Feb. 13), falling 70-62 on the road to Saint Mary's.

More than just a loss, the biggest effect was felt in the standings, as the Blazers (18-6, 16-5 MIAC) dropped out of second place and into fourth, trailing both the Cardinals and St. Thomas who remain tied in second. First place Concordia also won tonight, locking up at least a share of the regular season championship.

With the Cardinals (20-4, 17-4 MIAC) sweeping the season series from the Blazers, it also eliminates the possibility of a first round bye in the MIAC Tournament, meaning CSB will open at home in the quarterfinals against either Gustavus or Hamline.

The Blazers jumped out early, racing to a 9-2 lead over the first three minutes, but the Cardinals weathered the storm, never letting the lead extend to double digits. Back-to-back baskets from Whitney Canton put the Blazers up 6-0, and after the Cardianls got their first points of the game, Brianna Barrett answered right back with a three to go up 9-2.

Barrett and Canton would finish as the Blazers leaders once again, ending the game with 19 and 14 points respectively.

The Blazers held on to the lead for nearly the entire half, and on three separate occasions were out in front by seven, but each time the Cardinals had the counter to keep the game from getting out of hand. The last time came with just under eight minutes to go in the half as Barrett hit a lay-up to put the Blazers up 27-20.

The Cardinals answered with the next five points over a span of less than two minutes, and by the 2:38 mark the score was tied at 30-30 after a pair of free throws from the Cardinals.

Once getting back to even for the first time all half, the Cardinals closed the half on a 6-to-2 scoring run and led 36-32 going into the locker room.

In the second, the Blazers quickly erased the lead, tying the game with a Canton bucket just four minutes in to make it 41-41,  then after a Saint Mary's turnover, Morgan Dale scored to give the Blazers back the lead at 43-41 at the 15:43 mark. That would be the last lead the Blazers would have however.

The Cardinals quickly stretched the lead to 10, and led by at least eight the rest of the way. After going down 12, the Blzers scored six straight to get within six with 1:16 left, but could get closer, as the Cardinals won for the third straight time.

The Blazers will look to bounce back and head into the playoffs on a high note, when they host St. Olaf in the regular season finale, at 3 p.m., Feb. 16.