Blazers Lose in Overtime Thriller
February 22, 2006 - The Blazer basketball team (21-5 overall, 17-4 MIAC) was defeated by the Carleton Knights 74-73 in the MIAC semifinal contest. Early in the game, the Blazers took the lead and held on for as long as possible. Saint Ben's scored the first five points of the game and gained a 15-6 advantage just five minutes into the game. The remainder of the first period was a battle to determine who would have the momentum going into halftime. The Blazers seemed to have won that challenge as they headed into the half up 40-30.
Coming out of the break, the Blazers began the second period in the same fashion as they did the first half. CSB came out and scored the first five points of the half to take the biggest lead of the game, a 45-30 advantage.
From that point on, the Knights began to crawl back slowly. Sparked by the three-point shooting of first-year guard Sarah Kunelius, the Knights mounted a rapid comeback. Kunelius sank five three-pointers in the second half, and finished with 18 points. Senior forward Megan Vig led the Knights with 16 of her game-high 25 points coming in the second half.
While the Knights made a charge, the Blazers tried to keep their composure. However, Saint Ben's was only able to convert on 31.4% of their field goals in the second half. Despite a difficult time shooting, CSB kept fighting.
Down the stretch, the Blazers and Knights traded baskets and forced an overtime after the score was tied 67-67 at the end of regulation.
With five minutes to determine the outcome of the game, the Blazers looked to make an instant impact on the game. Unfortunately for Saint Ben's, overtime unveiled just like the second half had. The Blazers took an early lead and went back and forth with the Knights for the duration of the extra session.
With 17 seconds remaining, the Blazers led by one after a pair of free throws from junior wing Darby Noreen (Avon, Minn. / Albany HS). As time ran down, Carleton guard Andrea Korb knocked down a 13-foot jumpshot with six seconds left to give the Knights the advantage. Despite the Blazers' efforts, they were unable to create a good field goal attempt to win the game.
The Blazers were led by senior forward Anna Heikenen (Edina, Minn. / Edina HS) with 20 points and 12 rebounds. Juniors Ellie Boone (Maple Grove, Minn. / Maple Grove HS) and Jen Dalhed (Apple Valley, Minn. / Apple Valley HS) also made a great impact on both ends of the floor. Boone finished with 15 points and 7 boards, while Dalhed added 11 points and 6 rebounds.
Even though the Blazers have been eliminated from the MIAC tournament, they still stand a chance at making it into the national NCAA tournament. With 21 at-large bids up for grabs, the Blazers remain confident that their postseason hopes will continue next week in the national tournament.
Peter Banick, Sports Information Student Assistant
Athletic Department
College of Saint Benedict
37 South College Avenue
St. Joseph, MN 56374
320-363-5301
Fax 320-363-6098