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The Blazers Return: The Saint Benedict Basketball team returns home tomorrow (Feb. 4) to take on the Augsburg Auggies in their first game back at Claire Lynch Hall after a three-game road trip. Augsburg totes a 5-12 MIAC record (7-13 overall) and is currently sitting eighth in the conference standings. The Blazers are 14-3 in the MIAC (16-4 overall) and are the hottest team in the MIAC, currently riding an eight-game win streak. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
About Augsburg: After a school-record 14 wins last season the Auggies have struggled for victories this season. Four of their five conference wins came against St. Catherine and Bethel, the teams with the two worst conference records this season. The highlight of their season thus far is a 70-58 victory against Carleton College in early January. Despite their losses however, they have been tight on ball security, turning the ball over just 16.9 times per game.
Last Time: In the first season matchup of these two teams the Blazers used a 39-point halftime outburst to defeat the Auggies 64-49. That night was keyed by the Blazers consistency at the free throw line (18-of-24) despite shooting just 18-for-54 from the floor.
Brianna Barrett,
Tish Alexander, and
Whitney Canton all scored in double-figures that night. The win was the Blazers last game before the holiday break and gave them some great momentum heading into the second half of the season.
The Storyline: After winning eight straight games tomorrow will be the Blazers last tune-up before first-place Concordia comes to town on Wednesday. Undoubtedly Head Coach
Mike Durbin will want his team focused solely on the Auggies, but even for great teams it's difficult not to get over-excited at a chance to topple the top team in the conference. Monday will be a chance for the Blazers to get a win and get re-acclimated to Claire Lynch Hall before the big match with Concordia.
Who to Watch:
Brianna Barrett is coming off back-to-back 20-point performances and is fifth in the conference with 14.1 points per game.
Whitney Canton and
Morgan Dale have also caught fire during the Blazers eight-game win streak. Canton has scored in double figures in all eight, and is averaging 14.7 points per game over that span. Dale has been like a black hole sucking up rebounds, with four double-digit rebounding performances over the past eight, including three games where she reeled in 16 rebounds. She is currently fifth among the conference leaders with 6.9 boards per game.
Last Time Out: On Saturday the Blazers traveled to St. Catherine and defeated the Wildcats 66-45. The Blazers jumped out to a 33-21 halftime lead and never looked back, extending that lead to 21 late in the second half. Their quick defense that has been key to their winning streak held the Wildcats to just 29% shooting (13-of-44) from the floor. Barrett had 20 points, Canton had 13, and
Mattie Lueck notched the first double-double of her career with 11 points and 10 rebounds.
