Falvey and Frank Ignite Comeback, Tauer and Carter Finish It Off

01/05/2008

The College of Saint Benedict basketball team (3-2 MIAC, 5-3 overall) defeated the Bethel University Royals 63-57 in Claire Lynch Hall. Both teams entered the game 2-2 in conference play looking for a boost as MIAC play resumed after the holiday break. For most of the game, it appeared as if Bethel would be the team to walk away with the hopeful boost in the new year. However, with a great deal of teamwork and a few individual showcases, the Blazers crawled back to gain a tough victory. From the perimeter, senior wing Judy Falvey (Lakeville, Minn./Lakeville High School) scored a game-high 14 points while shooting 3 of 3 from both the free throw line and behind the arc. On the inside, first-year post Danielle Frank (Caledonia, Minn./Caledonia High School) recorded her first career double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds.

The hard fought game turned into a story of two halves. The first period belonged to Bethel as the Royals shot 40 percent from the field and led for 14 minutes of the half. At halftime, Bethel had a nine-point lead to show for its control of the game. The second period began in similar fashion, but would soon shift gears. The Royals maintained command of the game as they boosted their lead to a game-high 12 points just three minutes into the half. However, roles soon reversed as CSB began to creep back into the game. The Blazer defense showed vast improvements as their tenacity increased by the minute. CSB held Bethel to just 29.2 percent shooting in the second half. The strong defensive play by Frank and many others fueled the Blazer offense and led to a 48.4 shooting percentage in the second period.

Falvey and Frank contributed on both ends of the floor throughout the game, especially during the second half surge. However, it was the late game efforts by the pair of juniors from Edina, Minn. – forward Ariel Tauer (Edina, Minn./Edina High School) and point guard Nikki Carter (Edina, Minn./Edina High School) – that capped off the Blazer comeback. With only four and a half minutes remaining in the game, CSB still had not seen a second half lead. Down two points, Tauer penetrated and found first-year forward Betsy Hutchinson (Detroit Lakes, Minn./Detroit Lakes) with a quick dish to tie the game at 51-51. Just forty seconds later, the two connected again as Tauer drove into the lane and dished outside to Hutchinson for an open 18-foot baseline jumper that gave CSB a 53-52 lead – its first lead of the half. After allowing a basket, the Blazers went back to their junior forward. Tauer took it to the basket, yet again, and this time finished it herself to regain a one-point advantage.

After eight lead changes or ties in a two and a half minute period of time, the excitement and anxiety rose immensely. The Blazers gained possession of the ball with 46 seconds remaining in the game with the score tied 57-57. After looking for many different options, the shot clock wound down and Carter took the game into her own hands. She received the ball on the top of the key with nine seconds to get a shot off. She faked right and dribbled left into the lane. When halted by the Royals’ interior defense, Carter stepped back and drained a mid-range fade away jumpshot with six seconds on the shot clock. Up two points with 22 seconds remaining, the Blazers needed a defensive stop and got exactly that. As Carter provided heavy pressure on a post entry pass, Tauer moved quickly across the lane to anticipate the entry and stole the ball. Following an open court intentional foul, Carter made two free throws as CSB completed the comeback and gained a six-point victory.

The Blazers are next in action at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 7 when they take on St. Olaf at home. The game will be the second of three games held in Claire Lynch Hall in only five days.

Stats | Basketball | CSB Sports

Peter Banick, CSB Athletic Media Relations Student Assistant

Athletic Department
College of Saint Benedict
37 South College Avenue
St. Joseph, MN 56374
320-363-5301
Fax 320-363-6098