ST. PAUL, Minn. – The College of Saint Benedict basketball team picked up its second straight MIAC win Wednesday night when it defeated Hamline University 85-68 in St. Paul, Minn.
 
The Blazers were hot in the first half to propel themselves to a 46-27 halftime lead. CSB, which is now 6-6 overall and 3-2 in the MIAC, shot better than 57 percent in the first half, including 4-of-9 from long range.
 
The Blazers went on a 14-5 run to start the game, but the Pipers fought back and took a 20-19 lead with 9:15 left in the first half. Niki Fokken scored to put CSB up 23-22 with 7:12 left in the half, and that sparked a 23-5 run to end the half for Saint Benedict.
 
A three by Abby Miller pushed CSB's lead to 20, 49-29, within the first minute of the second half, and set the tone for the half. The Pipers (7-5, 2-3) cut the Blazers' lead to 10, 70-60, with just over six minutes left to play, but Jordan Falk and Alison Newton each hit a free throw and Elena Koch scored to push CSB's lead back to 14 and the Blazers hung on for the win.
 
Koch finished with 18 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Blazres, who shot 50 percent from the field and better than 46 percent from long range. Mattie Lueck added 12 points and 10 rebounds and Annie Dittberner finished with 12 points. Miller chipped in with 11 points and Fokken had eight points, nine rebounds and four blocked shots.
 
Saint Benedict went 18-for-29 from the line and had 44 rebounds and 14 turnovers.
 
Hamline shot 37.7 percent from the field and was led by Jordan Sammons, who had 25 points and 13 rebounds. Alex Peterson added 16 points and Chelsey Bonsante finished with 10. The Pipers went 11-for-20 from the line and had 42 rebounds and 15 turnovers.
 
Saint Benedict returns home Saturday, Jan. 10, when it hosts Carleton at 3 p.m.