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Royal Return: The Blazers hit the court for the first time after the holiday break, returning after a three-week layoff. In returning to MIAC play, they travel to Bethel for 3 p.m. match-up on Jan. 4. The Blazers will be looking to get back to the .500 mark in MIAC play as they enter at 2-3 in league action with a 5-2 overall mark. They'll be tasked with taking on a surprising Bethel team, who enters with a 6-1 overall record, and perfect 4-0 mark in MIAC play to sit tied atop the leaderboard. The game will also be an opportunity for head coach Mike Durbin to reach 600 wins in his career, as he enters with a career record of 599-173.
 
About the Royals: After going just 6-19, and 5-17 in the MIAC, last season the Royals have sprinted out of the gates this season, already matching last season's win total. They're scoring over 75 points per game, and beating they're opponents by over 13. The Royal's scoring offense ranks second in the MIAC, as does their 33.3% shooting mark from behind the arc. Four players are averaging double figures, led by Kalli Zimmermann at 13.9 and Rachel Parupsky at 13.1 respectively. Parupsky was an All-MIAC player as a first year last season when she averaged 16.0 points and 9.0 rebounds per game. Also a scoring threat is Sydney Schultz, who averages 10.7 points per game, and two made three-pointers per game.
 
Last Year: The Blazers swept the season series last year. They won 65-57 at home on Jan. 2 (also the first game after the break), before closing out the month with a 67-57 win in Arden Hills, Minn. on Jan. 30. In the first meeting the Blazers ran out to a 10-0 lead and never looked back. Brianna Barrett (Annandale, Minn.) led with 18 points as the Blazers never trailed. Then at the end of the month on the road, the Blazers used a late rally for the win, overcoming a one-point deficit with an 11-to-0 run over the final two minutes.  

W, 65-57 @ CSB	W, 67-57 @ BU

The Storyline: Can the Blazers had the Royals their first conference loss? They could use a win in several ways, but probably most important is to get to .500 in conference play and avoid slipping too far back too early. Knocking Bethel from the ranks of the unbeaten would sweet as well, and help the Blazers gain a game on them in the standings. A win would also be a nice rebound from the Blazers loss to St. Thomas heading into the break, and of course, it would be the much anticipated 600^th career win for head coach Mike Durbin.   
 
Who to Watch: Morgan Dale (Jamestown, N.D.) leads the MIAC with 10.8 rebounds per game, while adding 10.3 points per game to average a double-double. In eight games, she has four double-doubles this season. Brianna Barrett (Annandale, Minn.) is the team scoring leader, averaging 15.0 points per game, and has scored in double figures in seven of eight games. Also enjoying her best season as a senior is Tish Alexander (Minneapolis) who is averaging 10.1 points and 5.9 boards per game, which included 18 rebounds against Hamline. She also ranks second in the MIAC with 3.4 steals per game.

Morgan Dale	Brianna Barrett	Tish Alexander

 
Last Time Out: The Blazers saw their two-game winning streak snapped in their final game before the break, falling 60-36 to then No. 12 St. Thomas on Dec. 14. The Tommies ran out to a 21-0 lead, keeping the Blazers off the board until there were less than eight minutes left in the game. After a 36-10 halftime deficit, the Blazers actually outscored the Tommies in the second half 26-24. Mattie Lueck (Pequot Lakes, Minn.) was the only player to score in double figures, finishing with 16. Alexander was next with nine, while only three other players finished in the scoring column.