Blazers End Improbable Postseason Run at Sweet 16
The 2004-2005 Blazer basketball team entered the season not knowing quite what to expect with an inexperienced squad. The loss of three seniors in Ashley Brown, Leah Laurich and Jill Podgorski left three open spots in the starting lineup this season. CSB entered the MIAC Playoffs as the number three seed, which marked the beginning of an incredible postseason run for the Blazers. Saint Ben's was ranked as high as No. 14 on D3hoops.com Top 25.
The Blazers returned co-captains senior Kim Johnson and junior Anna Heikenen to the starting lineup. A trio of sophomores rounded out the starting lineup, including Katie Kempe, Darby Noreen and Jen Dalhed. Saint Benedict’s went deep into their bench on a number of occasions seeking help from senior co-captain Tara Schloe, junior Justine Richels and sophomores Laura Zwach and Ellie Boone.
Saint Benedict began the season with a 4-0 mark before dropping its first game of the season 71-56 to Carleton at home. The Blazers would compile an eight game win streak after the loss. CSB compiled a record of 24-5 overall and 19-4 in the MIAC. CSB’s regular season losses came on the road at Concordia-Moorhead, St. Mary's, and Carleton.
CSB finished third in MIAC standings and earned the number three seed going into the MIAC playoffs. The Blazers took off strong starting with a first round win over St. Thomas. From there they traveled to the number two seed Concordia Cobbers, knocking them off 77-73. Next it was onto the number one seed Carleton Knights, where they were crowned MIAC Playoff Champions and earned the MIAC's automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament with a 77-74 win.
The Blazers received a home game against Simpson in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Saint Ben's won that game 80-63 and went onto Storm Lake, Iowa to face Buena Vista. The Blazers pulled off another tough win 77-71, which gave them a spot in the Sweet 16 Round of the NCAA Tournament. CSB's incredible run came to an end in Ashland, Vir. with a 74-69 loss to George Fox.
Aside from team success, a few other milestones were reached throughout the course of the season. Senior Kim Johnson became the 15th Blazer to score 1,000 career points in a loss at Concorida and became only the second Blazer basketball player to reach 800 rebounds in her career. Johnson finished with a career total of 1178 points and 915 rebounds. Junior Anna Heikenen became the 16th Blazer to reach 1,000 points in her career in CSB's 77-73 upset over the Cobbers in the semifinal game of the MIAC playoffs.
Johnson and Heikenen were named All-MIAC and Noreen was an All-MIAC Honorable Mention selection. Heikenen and Johnson were both named to the D3hoops.com All-West Region Team. In addition Heikenen was named to the D3hoops.com All-America Fourth Team and was also selected to the Kodak/WBCA All-America Honorable Mention Team. Heikenen led the Blazers in scoring, averaging 17.8 points per game.
Athletic Department
College of Saint Benedict
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St. Joseph, MN 56374
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