St. Joseph, Minn. -- In a game that was a tale of two halves, the College of Saint Benedict basketball team (7-5) lost to the Buena Vista Beavers (6-5) today (Jan. 3rd) by a 74-64 score.

The Blazers took a 14-6 lead early in the first period, helped by three three-pointers by first-year guard Grace Wolhowe. A three-point play by junior forward Macy Kelly with 1:29 left in the first period gave the Blazers a commanding 24-10 lead. That would be their largest lead of the game.

The Buena Vista offense started heating up in the second period, exploding for 24 points. The Blazers could not be slowed however, scoring 21 points in the period to maintain a 45-39 halftime lead. Those 45 points are the most the Blazers have scored in a half since they put up 47 points in the second half against the UW-Superior on November 24th. The Blazers shot an exceptional 16-for-25 (64.0 %) from the floor during the half.

After the halftime break, the Blazers' hot hand cooled off. They waited until the 3:34 point in the third period before sophomore Niki Fokken hit the team's first field goal of the second half. Meanwhile, the Beavers scored 19 points in the period, held the Blazers to just six points, and took a 58-51 lead over the Blazers after three periods.

In the fourth quarter the Beavers ran their lead to 67-53 with 5:41 to play in the half. Three pointers by first-year wing Courtney Nelson and Grace Wolhowe helped pull the Blazers within six at 67-61 with 3:31 to play. The Blazers couldn't hold on however, and the Beavers went on to win 74-64.

Key to the second half comeback for the Beavers was 14-for-26 (53.8%) shooting from the floor, while holding the Blazers to 6-for-29 (20.7%).

The Beavers' Jasmyn Flynn-Graves led all scorers with 23 points, and added 8 rebounds and 4 assists to lead Buena Vista in all three statistical categories. Wolhowe and junior point guard Alison Newton led the Blazers in scoring with 12 points apiece. Fokken reeled in 11 rebounds, tying her season high.

Blazer basketball returns to MIAC action next Wednesday (Jan. 6th) when they will host Macalester. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.