ST. JOSEPH, Minn. – The College of Saint Benedict basketball team is looking to continue the success it found last season when it opens the 2017-18 campaign this weekend by hosting the annual Quinlivan & Hughes Tip-Off Tournament. The two day, four-team tournament will run Nov. 17-18 in Claire Lynch Hall.
CSB is looking to beat its strong start from last season, when it opened with seven straight wins – the most since 2003-04. Four of those seven wins came on the teams' home court, where CSB was almost unbeatable last season, posting an impressive 11-2 record. The team plays seven of its first 10 games at home, including a string of four games running Nov. 29 to Dec. 9.
All eyes will be on seniors
Chelsey Guetter,
Niki Fokken, and
Kate Banovetz as they lead the CSB charge this season. Guetter and Fokken return after stellar seasons in their junior campaigns. Both were named to the All-MIAC First team to reward their hard work, and the two led CSB in points scored, with Guetter putting up an inspiring 269 points, while Fokken netted 254. Guetter also led the team in steals with 33, and Fokken blocked 50 shots to lead her team.
The 2017-18 season marks the 32
nd for head coach Mike Durban. In his first 31 seasons, Durbin has coached 65 All-MIAC First Team selections, 46 honorable mention athletes, 13 players named to the All-MIAC Defensive Team and 13 all-first year team picks.
The first game for the 2017 Quinlivan & Hughes Tip-Off Tournament will be held between Wisconsin-La Crosse and fellow MIAC competitor Saint Mary's. That game is slated for 6 p.m. on Nov. 17. CSB opens its season against Minnesota-Morris at 8 p.m. to close out the first day of action. Day two will begin with Saint Mary's facing off with Minnesota-Morris at 1 p.m. and CSB finishes the tournament against UW-La Crosse at 3 p.m.
About Minnesota Morris
The Cougars' 2017-18 season is full of promise as they return strong inside-outside threats in junior guards Elli Stevenson and Mauren Thiesen and posts Kendra Raths and Abby Van Kempen. UMM finished 2016-17 with an overall record of 20-7 and were picked second in the UMAC pre-season coaches' poll. CSB last played the Cougars early last season, when it defeated UMM by a 67-53 margin. Guetter led CSB with 11 rebounds in the game. Minnesota Morris officially started its season Wednesday with a 58-53 loss to Concordia-Moorhead.
About Wisconsin-La Crosse
The Eagles were picked to finish fifth in the WIAC this season, after putting up a 16-11 overall record last season. In head coach Karen Middleton's first season, the Eagles advanced to the WIAC Championship semifinals, their first appearance since 2011. UWL returns three starters for 2017-18, including standout senior guard Elise DeNoyer, who boasts three all-conference selections. The Eagles have played an exhibition game against a Division I opponent, falling to Iowa State 93-50. They open their regular season at the tip-off tournament against Saint Mary's.
Who to Watch
Returning alongside Guetter and Fokken for her senior season is post
Kate Banovetz. She averaged 19.1 minutes per game last season, and was paramount for CSB's success, especially down low where she grabbed 107 total rebounds last season, good enough for third on the team. She dished out 24 assists and stole 23 balls from opponents last season. Also returning for CSB is junior wing
Breanna Gates, who was voted by her teammates last season to be the team's Most Improved player. She is expected to see an uptick in playing time, filling the spot of Annie Dittnerner, who graduated following last season. Sophomore
Sidney Schiffler is also expected to make an impact for CSB this year, following a strong first year. Schiffler averaged 19.4 minutes per game in her debut season, and led the team in free-throw percentage, converting nearly 83 percent of the time she stepped up to the line.
