ST. JOSEPH, Minn. – After a two-week break for finals and the holidays, the College of Saint Benedict basketball team is back in action Saturday, Dec. 28, when it wraps up nonconference play for the season at Bethany Lutheran College. The two teams tip off at 3 p.m. in Mankato.
 
About the Vikings
BLC has also been off fore two weeks as its last game of the first semester was a 69-68 win over UW-Superior on Dec. 14. The Vikings are off to a 6-2 start, including wins over the MIAC's Carleton, St. Olaf and Macalester. Abby Olson leads the team with 19.4 points per game, and Hanna Geistfeld (17.1) and Kenlie Pytleski (12.5) also average double digits. Geistfeld also averages 10 rebounds per game, and Olson has a team-high 29 assists.
 
Last Meeting
This is the first meeting between Bethany Lutheran and Saint Benedict dating back to the beginning of CSB's records in 1991.
 
The Storyline
After a hot start to 2019-20, CSB wrapped up the semester with a pair of conference losses, and looks to get back on track Saturday with a nonconference win on the road. After taking on the Vikings, CSB kicks off MIAC play again against a tough Augsburg squad, so the Bennies are looking to gain some momentum before jumping into conference play once again.
 
Who to Watch
Megan Thompson (14), Sidney Schiffler (13) and Paris Rasheed-Moore (11) all scored in double digits in CSB's loss to Gustavus. Schiffler and Thompson both had 12 points in a one-point loss to Carleton, and Schiffler went 7-for-13 from three-point range on the week, including several threes late against the Knight to help keep her team close. Alex Johnson continues to lead the MIAC with 9.8 rebounds per game, and she is in the top 10 in the conference with a .544 field-goal percentage.