St. Joseph, Minn. – The Saint Benedict basketball team scored a much-needed season ending win over St. Olaf today (Feb. 16), using a major second half comeback to do so. The Blazers took a 60-58 win in a game where they trailed by 16 at halftime.
Tish Alexander and the rest of the Blazers outscored the Oles, 42-24 in the second half to complete the comeback victory.
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The Blazers (19-6, 17-5 MIAC) started off slow and found themselves down 14-2 in the first nine minutes of the first half. Then – kicked off a three-pointer from Alexander – the Blazers fought back with an 11-to-0 run, which brought them within one at 17-16. The rally consisted of three consecutive three-pointers, one by Alexander and two more by
Brianna Barrett. Alexander also took two steals and
Whitney Canton added another during the run.
Alexander and Barrett paced the Blazers, scoring 22 and 19 points respectively, combining for 41 of the Blazers 60 points. Additionally, Alexander's 22 is a career high and the most scored by any Blazer this season, breaking Barrett's 21 from last week.
The Oles (12-13, 10-12 MIAC) responded with a 17-to-2 run directly after, however, to put them back ahead with a 34-18 lead, which they took into halftime. Â
Trailing by 16 at the break, the Blazers hadn't led all game. They had a field goal percentage of 35.3% and went just 3-of-6 at the free throw line. Adding to the deficit, the Blazers had only one offensive rebound in the first, and turned the ball over nine times.
The Blazers started the second half with a 7-to-2 run which narrowed the Ole's lead to 38-25. After an Ole three, the Blazers ripped off a 10-to-1 run to close the gap to less than 10 at 42-35. Then, they finally got the game within a single possession at 45-43, when Alexander capped a 9-to-1 run with a three-pointer at the 8:48 mark.
With less than four minutes remaining in the game, Alexander sank yet another three-pointer to complete the comeback and give the Blazers their first lead of the night at 51-50. After the Oles answered to take a 54-51 lead, Alexander shot right back with her fifth trey of the game, tying her career high, and tying the game at 54-54.
With one minute remaining, Alexander grabbed her fifth steal and brought it straight to the hoop to lead the Blazers to a 58-56 advantage. The Oles would again answer, with a pair of free throws the next time down the floor, but
Whitney Canton was fouled on the ensuing possession, and sank both shots for the final 60-58 advantage and the win.
The Blazers go on to start the MIAC Tournament with a home court advantage on Feb. 19 at 7:30 p.m. against the Hamline Pipers.
