ST. JOSEPH, Minn. – After avenging one of its losses from earlier this season last week, the College of Saint Benedict basketball team looks avenge a second loss and pick up the season split with Saint Mary's Wednesday.
 
The Cardinals beat CSB in December in Claire Lynch Hall, but Saint Benedict brings a five-game winning streak to Winona Wednesday when the two teams play in a MIAC contest starting at 7 p.m.
 
About Saint Mary's
Saint Mary's, like CSB, is 10-7 overall and 6-4 and in a four-way tie for third in the MIAC heading into Wednesday's game. The Cardinals had their three-game winning streak snapped Saturday by No. 5 St. Thomas, and look to start a new streak. Brandi Blattner leads the team and is eighth in the MIAC in scoring at 13.7 points per game, and she is also fourth in the conference with 8.2 rebounds per game. Brooklyn Paulson also averages double digits in scoring at 12.1 points per game.
 
Last Meeting
The Cardinals led 17-9 after one quarter and 38-22 at halftime in a Dec. 12 meeting between the two teams in Claire Lynch Hall. Megan Thompson led the team with 12 points, and Shae Olsen also had eight points. CSB shot just 28.3 percent from the field and 66.7 percent from the line and committed 20 turnovers.
 
The Storyline
Saint Mary's came away with a big win against CSB in December, but Saint Benedict is a different team this time around, and is riding a five-game winning streak heading into game two of a three-game road trip. Both teams need a win to try and put some distance between themselves and the rest of the MIAC, and to stay in the top half of the conference standings.
 
Who to Watch
CSB's offense has been very balanced the last several games. Five players – including four of five starters – scored in double digits Saturday at Carleton, and four starters hit double digits in a win over St. Kate's last week. Maddie Schmitz led the team with 21 points and 11 rebounds Saturday, and Sidney Schiffler had 16 points against the Wildcats.