Initial Surge Energizes CSB

02/09/2008

The College of Saint Benedict basketball team (15-3 MIAC, 17-4 overall) defeated the Augsburg Auggies 79-59. On a day dedicated to the induction of six new members into the CSB Hall of Fame, the Blazers showed that they continue to carry on the excellence of their predecessors. CSB’s 72-69 overtime victory at Augsburg on Jan. 12 was a bit too close for comfort. Back home in Claire Lynch Hall, the Blazers had no intention of allowing another nail-biter against the Auggies. Sophomore Mindy Schmidt (Brooklyn Park, Minn./Champlin Park High School) made that clear as she scored a season-high 25 points. It was the third time Schmidt reached the 20-points mark in the last four games.

The Blazers set the pace from the opening minute of the game. CSB controlled the tempo and intensity on both ends of the floor. Five minutes into the game, the Blazers had already taken a 12-0 lead. But, CSB did not stop there. It continued its dominance on offense and defense for the next seven minutes. At 7:57, the Blazers concluded their run and had built a 26-4 advantage. The 22-point lead was the largest of the game. While the Auggies put up a fight before halftime, the Blazer defense held them to just 18.5 percent shooting from the field for the first half. The early deficit proved to be too much for the Auggies. CSB shot 51.4 percent in the second half on its way to a 20-point victory.

Senior wing Mackenzie O’Neil (Waseca, Minn./Waseca High School) and junior forward Ariel Tauer (Edina, Minn./Edina High School) provided the offensive support Schmidt needed to win the game. O’Neil and Tauer scored 14 and 10 points, respectively. The CSB bench outscored the Auggie bench 22-5. Junior point guard Nikki Carter (Edina, Minn./Edina High School) made an enormous impact with seven assists and no turnovers in 34 minutes of play. Her ball control was the main reason the Blazers recorded only seven turnovers – a season best.

CSB is next in action when it takes on Macalester at 5:45 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 13 in St. Paul. The game will be played at St. Catherine’s, where the Scots are playing home games during construction of their new athletic facility.

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