Blazers Headed to Sweet 16

March 5, 2005 - The Blazer basketball team (24-4) is headed to the Sweet 16 after defeating Buena Vista (25-3) 77-71 in tonight's second round of the NCAA Tournament in Storm Lake, Iowa.

Buena Vista was in the lead for the majority of the first half, but the Blazers kept it close. The Beavers cruised to an 8-0 lead to start the game. Junior Justine Richels (Breckenridge/Breckenridge), who went 3-3 from beyond the arc for nine points in the first half, scored two consecutive 3-pointers to bring the Blazers back within three points at 16-13 with 11:34 to go. Saint Ben's then took its first lead 26-25 with just over five minutes to go. CSB  shot 52 percent from the field for the half, but Buena Vista went into halftime with a 36-32 lead.

The game remained tight in the second half, with both teams staying within striking distance. The Blazers' leading scorer, junior Anna Heikenen (Edina/Edina), was held to only one point in the first half, but came back with a 13 point second half to finish with 14 for the game. The Blazers grabbed the lead back, going up 40-39 with just over 15 minutes to go. The Beavers came back to tie the game at 59-59, but the Blazers scored on the next possession and would keep the lead for good. Saint Ben's went ahead by as many as seven points, but Buena Vista cut it to within one at 72-71 with 56 seconds left in the game. The Blazers converted on key free throws down the stretch and held on to win 77-71.

Four Saint Ben's players scored in double figures. Sophomore Darby Noreen (Avon/Albany) led the Blazers with 17 points, while sophomore Katie Kempe (St. Paul/Cretin Derham) added 15. Senior Kim Johnson (Arden Hills/Mounds View) notched a double-double knocking in 10 points and grabbing 11 boards. The Blazers and Beavers played a very evenly matched game. Each team made nine three pointers and 20 free throws. The Beavers held a 34-31 rebounding advantage. The Blazers shot 47 percent from the field, while holding the Beavers to 39 percent shooting for the game.

The Blazers will now advance to the Sweet 16 to play George Fox University at a site that is TBD Sunday.

Athletic Department
College of Saint Benedict
37 South College Avenue
St. Joseph, MN 56374
320-363-5301
Fax 320-363-6098