2001-2002 Season Review
The Blazer Basketball team told the press on their first day of practice that their goal was to reach the post-season, in other words, to earn an NCAA berth. CSB was ranked 16th by the NCAA in the pre-season poll and they displayed the motivation to move up in those rankings. Steve Howe-Veenstra joined the staff as a part-time assistant after spending many years as the St. Cloud Tech Boys coach. Veenstra proved a wealthy addition due to his specialization with post players. Mia Peterson was the only senior on the team and was expected to play a key leadership role. All-MIAC players, Danni Hannon and Michelle Barlau were role players that had to spread their enthusiasm amongst their teammates. Ashley Brown was also returning and her outstanding perimeter shooting would help the team outside. The Blazers were excited to gain Leah Laurich from Bemidji State as her versatility was expected to fill a variety of positions. Team solidarity is what existed and the results were amazing:
The Blazers knew how to score, averaging 78 ppg. CSB were 24-5 overall and 19-3 in the MIAC conference. They became MIAC Co-champions with St. Thomas and gained the number one seed in the conference. This gave them a first round bye and a home game in the semi-finals of the MIAC playoffs. Although Carleton received the MIAC title, St. Ben’s received a NCAA bid. This was the Blazer’s first NCAA appearance since 1998-99. The now number 12th ranked Blazer’s defeated 13th ranked UW-Stout in the first round of the Tournament. The Blazers ended with a second round loss to Pacific Lutheran in the NCAA tournament.
By winning a share of the MIAC regular season title and advancing to the NCAA Division III Tournament, the goals the team set in October were met. Head Coach Mike Durbin became the winningest coach in the MIAC with his 338th victory over Macalester early in the season, passing the legendary St. Thomas coach, Ted Riverso. Michelle Barlau reached the 1,000-point milestone in front of her home crowd. She was the 12th player in school history to cross the 1,000-point mark and only the fourth to reach the milestone as a junior. Barlau (16.1 ppg) and Hannon (13.3 ppg) were named to the All-MIAC team. First-year Kim Johnson (11.8 ppg) was named to the MIAC All-First Year Team and Ashley Brown (9.7 ppg) received All-MIAC honorable mentions. Michelle Barlau also received D3hoops.com All-American 4th team honors and she was named to the Verizon All-Academic team.
Athletic Department
College of Saint Benedict
37 South College Avenue
St. Joseph, MN 56374
320-363-5301
Fax 320-363-6098