Schmidt Carries Blazers

02/04/2007

The College of Saint Benedict basketball team (13-3 MIAC, 15-4 overall) defeated the Gustavus Adolphus Gusties 69-51. A Dec. 5 loss to Gustavus in St. Peter, Minn. gave the Blazers many reasons to want a victory in this game. And with the Gusties trailing just one game in the MIAC standings, this was a must-win game for CSB. Fortunately, sophomore wing Mindy Schmidt (Brooklyn Park, Minn./Champlin Park High School) was up for the challenge. Schmidt was in the spotlight on both ends of the floor. She tied her season-high of 20 points for the second consecutive game. Schmidt was also assigned the task of defending Jess Vadnais, the MIAC’s leading scorer. She held Vadnais, who averages 19.1 points, to just eight points in the game.

After the opening tip, it appeared as if the matchup would be a lopsided one as the Blazers pulled out to a 12-2 lead just three minutes into the game. CSB never underestimated Vadnais, but seemed to be slowing her down in the beginning. However, at 13:49 Vadnais led an 8-0 run that began with her free-throw on one possession and a turnaround three-pointer on the next. The three-point field goal gave the Gusties 10 points, eight of which were scored by Vadnais. No one in the gym would have guessed it then, but Vadnais would not score another point all night. Schmidt’s tenacious defense locked her up and forced the conference leading scorer into 3 of 12 shooting from the field.

The Gustie run pulled the score to 18-14 as both teams battled for an advantage entering halftime. Neither was overly successful as the Blazers went up 29-28 going into the locker room. The second half began just as the first half had ended – with the utmost intensity. After a quick CSB turnover, Gustavus converted on a layup that gave the Gusties their first, and only, lead of the game. Two minutes into the period, the score was tied at 32. At that point the Blazers really turned up the heat. Over the next six minutes, the Blazers rattled off a 19-3 run that destroyed any chance for a Gustavus comeback. The second half surge was directed by senior wing Mackenzie O’Neil’s (Waseca, Minn./Waseca High School) 10 points, which included two momentum-shifting three-pointers. O’Neil finished the game with 14 points on 5 of 6 shooting. With a 51-35 lead at 11:39, the Blazers kept the intensity high en route to an 18-point victory.

While Schmidt starred on offense and defense, she was not the only one making a big impact in the game. First-year post Danielle Frank (Caledonia, Minn./Caledonia High School) completed her seventh double-double of the season – this time with 10 points and 14 rebounds. The Gusties could not find an offensive solution to get around Frank, who grabbed 11 defensive boards and blocked five shots. Junior point guard Nikki Carter (Edina, Minn./Edina High School) facilitated the offense to near perfection, especially in the second half. Carter led flawless fast breaks one after another and dished out a season-high eight assists, while turning the ball over just once.

The Blazers are next in action when they face St. Olaf at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 6 in Northfield, Minn.

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