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There will be no audio with the video for the 1 p.m. games each day*ST. JOSEPH, Minn. – For the second consecutive season, the College of Saint Benedict opens the season at home with the Quinlivan & Hughes Tip-Off Tournament in 2014-15. This year's tournament features two games Saturday, Nov. 15, and two more Sunday, Nov. 16.
Joining the Blazers at the tournament will be fellow MIAC school Saint Mary's, as well as UW-River Falls from the WIAC and the UMAC's Minnesota-Morris.
Saint Benedict, which was picked to finish fifth in the MIAC when the league's preseason poll was released Wednesday, is looking to improve on its 12-13 overall finish and 9-13 conference record from last season. The Blazers graduated several key players, but plenty of returning talent and new recruits should help fill the gaps for Saint Benedict.
The Schedule: The tournament tips off at 1 p.m. Saturday when River Falls takes on Saint Mary's. The Blazers officially open the season at 3 p.m. Saturday against Morris. Sunday, Saint Mary's takes on Morris at 1 p.m., and Saint Benedict wraps up the tournament with a 3 p.m. game against River Falls.
About the Cougars: Minnesota-Morris returns plenty of talent from a team that finished 17-10 overall and won the UMAC regular-season title with a 13-1 conference record in 2013-14. The Cougars' top four scorers return in Kendra Wycoff (13.3), Emily Auch (12.5), Tori Holt (9.4) and Kayla Kraemer (5.9). Auch returns as the team's leading rebounder after averaging 4.6 as a junior last season, and Kraemer averaged 2.7 assists per game.
About the Falcons: River Falls finished 6-19 overall and took ninth in the WIAC with a 4-12 mark, and is looking to move up in the conference this season. The Falcons return their leading scorer from last year in Richell Mehus, who averaged 9.9 points per game. Kate Theisen is also back after averaging 6.3 points per game. Mehus also averaged 4.9 rebounds and a team-high 2.1 assists per game in 2013-14.
About the Cardinals: Saint Mary's was picked to finish second in the MIAC when the preseason poll was released this week. The Cardinals went 24-4 overall and made the NCAA Tournament where they lost 71-61 to UW-Oshkosh in the first round. Saint Mary's also won the MIAC title with a 20-2 mark and lost 71-58 in the conference championship game to St. Thomas. Shelby Auseth returns as the team's leading scorer from last season after averaging 10.7 points per game. Bridget Pethke is also back after averaging 10.6 points. Auseth also averaged 4.9 rebounds per game and Pethke led the team with 4.6 assists.
The Storyline: All four teams head into this weekend looking to get 2014-15 started on the right foot and build some momentum before the conference seasons start in early December. Saint Benedict was picked to finish fifth in the MIAC, and is looking to get back to the conference tournament after missing it last season. Who will step up early in the season for each team to replace leading scorers and be leaders for their respective teams?
Who to Watch: Junior
Mattie Lueck finished second on the team in scoring at 11.2 points per game last season, and led the team with 58 total assists. She earned All-MIAC Honorable mention honors, and is looking to improve even more this season. Lueck's sister, senior
Emily Lueck, is also back after leading the team and finishing second in the MIAC with a .424 three-point percentage. Senior
Jordan Falk returns after suffering an injury early in her junior season, and
Elena Koch also returns for her senior season. Sophomore
Annie Dittberner is back after leading all first years in playing time in 2013-14, and she also averaged 4.8 points per game.
About the Tournament: Since the Quinlivan & Hughes Tip-Off Tournament is not bracketed, a team champion will be determined by record over the weekend. After record, points allowed on defense will be looked at, then points scored on offense. The team champion will have the tournament MVP, and four individual all-tournament honors will be awarded.
Tournament Schedule:
Saturday, Nov. 15
Game 1: UW-River Falls vs. Saint Mary's – 1 p.m.
Game 2: Saint Benedict vs. Minnesota-Morris – 3 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 16
Game 3: Minnesota-Morris vs. Saint Mary's – 1 p.m.
Game 4: Saint Benedict vs. UW-River Falls – 3 p.m.
