Waverly, Iowa -- The College of Saint Benedict basketball team (4-6, 1-2 MIAC) lost another nail-biter today (Dec. 30th), falling 59-61 to Iowa Wesleyan College (6-4, 3-0 SLIAC) in the consolation game of the Wartburg Holiday Tournament.
 
The Blazers jumped out to a 28-18 lead at halftime, holding the Tigers to 6-for-28 (21.4%) shooting from the floor in the first half. The teams traded leads in the second-half, until four minutes stood on the clock and they were tied at 57 points apiece.
 
Tiger guard Rachel Williams scored on the Tigers' next possession, giving the Tigers a two-point lead. Neither team was able to score until the Blazers sent Williams to the free-throw line, trailing by two with 16 seconds left. Williams drained the free throws to seal the victory for the Tigers. Sophomore guard Annie Dittberner scored a layup on the ensuing Blazer possession, but time ran out on the Blazers, and they lost 59-61.
 
Rebounding continued to be the Achilles heel for the Blazers, who have been outrebounded in five of their six losses this season. The Tigers outrebounded the Blazers by a 43-to-28 margin. On the bright side, the Blazers had only ten turnovers, which ties their lowest turnover rate this season.
 
Dittberner again led the team in scoring, dropping 12 points off 4-for-7 shooting from the floor. Those 12 points gave her 28 through the two-day tournament, and earned her a spot on the All-Tournament Team. Dittberner shot an impressive 8-for-12 (66.6%) from the floor and 6-for-9 (66.6%) from three-point land during the tournament. She averaged 31 minutes per game and turned the ball over just twice during the entire tournament.
 
Blazer Basketball returns to action this Saturday (Jan. 3rd) when they will host the Royals of Bethel University. Tip-off is scheduled for 3 p.m.