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MIAC Semifinals: After an 86-79 victory over fifth-seeded Hamline on Tuesday, today (Feb. 21) the fourth-seeded Saint Benedict Basketball Team (20-6) will travel to Moorhead to take on the first-seeded Concordia Cobbers (20-5). The winner of today's game will go on to face either St. Thomas or Saint Mary's in the MIAC championship game on Saturday. Tip-off for tonight's game is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: Admission to the game will be $7.00 for adults and $3.00 for any student. Children age five or younger receive free admission. There is no senior discount. MIAC Passes will be honored. No other passes are to be accepted.
About Concordia: After being picked to finish second to St. Thomas in the MIAC the Cobbers were the surprise conference champions, winning the MIAC with a 19-3 record. They currently have won 11 of their past 12 games, however that one loss came at the hands of the Blazers. They are led in scoring by Tricia Sorenson, who also ranks fifth among the conference leaders in points per game. Their offensive production was matched by nobody else, as they led the MIAC with 67.4 points per game. Their plus-nine rebounding average was also the best in the conference this year,
Last Meeting: The Blazers and Cobbers split their season series this year. In the first game the Blazers got down by 18 early in the second half, but went on a 21-4 run later in the half to cut the lead to four. However, they couldn't overcome the Cobbers hot night from the floor and dropped the game 81-68 at Moorhead. In the second matchup at home, the Blazers stuck close to the Cobbers the whole game and then finally took a 47-42 lead they would never relinquish with 10 minutes remaining. The Blazers outscored the Cobbers 30-18 in the paint in that game.
Storyline: Can the Blazers make a run in the MIAC tournament and make one last impression on the NCAA tournament selection committee? They are more than likely going to have to win the conference championship and secure the corresponding automatic bid if their dreams of making the NCAA tournament are to be realized. The Cobbers on the other hand know their NCAA tournament hopes would also float away with a loss against the Blazers and are just as hungry to prove that they deserved the No.1 seed.
Who to Watch:
Brianna Barrett and
Whitney Canton both exploded with career highs in Tuesday's quarterfinal matchup against Hamline. Barrett dropped 28, improving her season average to 15 points per game. That mark also makes her the third best scorer in the MIAC. Canton's 23 improved her season average to 11.6 points per game, and also extended her streak of coming up with big numbers in big games.
Morgan Dale scored 14, and quietly added her third double-double night of the season, and fourth night with 16 rebounds. Her 7.3 rebounds per game place her fourth in the MIAC.
Last Time Out: The Blazers got their postseason campaign off to a perfect start on Tuesday, sending down the Pipers by a score of 86-79. Four players scored in double-digits; Barrett (28), Canton (23), Dale (14), and
Mattie Lueck (10). After a slight halftime lead, the Blazers pounced on the Pipers and never looked back in the second. Head Coach
Mike Durbin was able to rest easy in the final minutes due to Canton's 13-of-13 night from the free throw line, including 11-of-11 in the final two minutes.
Up Next: If the Blazers win they will hit the road again to play either third-seeded Saint Mary's in Winona or second-seeded Saint Thomas in St. Paul for the MIAC championship.
