CSB will start NCAA tournament at home

St. Cloud Times Feb. 28, 2005

by Frank Rajkowski, Staff Writer

The College of St. Benedict basketball team will open the NCAA Division III tournament at home, playing host to Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference tournament champion Simpson at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Claire Lynch Hall.

The Division III pairings were announced Sunday night. The Blazers (22-4 overall), who earned the MIAC's automatic bid with a 77-74 win over top-seeded Carleton in the conference tournament finals Saturday in Northfield, are making their first NCAA postseason appearance since 2002.

The Storm (22-6), who earned the IIAC's automatic bid by defeating Wartburg 69-62 in the conference title game Saturday, are making their first NCAA tournament appearance since 2000.

The winner Wednesday advances to face Buena Vista (25-2) in the second round Saturday in Storm Lake, Iowa. The Beavers won the IIAC regular season title but were upset by Wartburg in the conference semifinals Friday.

"Me and (fellow senior) Tara Schloe were talking before the selections were released," said St. Benedict senior post Kim Johnson, who gathered with her teammates in a conference room in the basement of the Haehn Student Center to listen as the pairings were announced.

"It brings back memories. Two years ago, we were in this room and we didn't make it, so we know how disappointing it can be. It's just a great feeling to finally be going again."

Johnson and Schloe are the only two Blazers players who were around the last time the team advanced to the NCAA Tournament. For sophomore wing Katie Kempe and the rest of her team, it will be a new experience.

"I'm not sure what to expect," said Kempe, who was something of an unsung hero for her team in the MIAC tournament, averaging 10.7 points per game in her team's three tournament games. She hit a pair of key free throws with 19 seconds left to play against the Knights Saturday. "But if we keep playing the way we have been lately, I think we'll be OK."

In the Storm, St. Benedict will be facing a team that is averaging 74.6 points per game and holds opponents to an average of 59.4. Senior forward Ashley Bogaards, a 5-foot-10 native of Pella, Iowa, is averaging a team-best 8.8 ppg.

Sophomore forward Ashley Hansen, a 6-0 native of Newton, Iowa, is averaging 8.7 ppg. Freshman forward Katelyn Whiton is averaging 8.5 and senior guard Kristi Protine is averaging 8.4.

Junior guard Dana Johnson led the way with 15 points in the win over Wartburg Saturday. Junior center Sarah Pearson added 11 off the bench. Simpson coach Brian Niemuth is in his 18th season.

"I don't know a lot about them," Blazers coach Mike Durbin said. "I pulled some stats this afternoon and looked at their roster because it looked like we might get them. I know Simpson has always been a run-and-gun kind of team. I don't know if they are this year, but it wouldn't surprise me."

Durbin said he is just excited to have his team back in the tournament.

"It's so nice," said Durbin, who has now led St. Benedict to 13 NCAA tournament berths. "I've had so many conversations on (selection night) that have gone the other way. It's just a tremendous sense of relief and accomplishment. It never gets old."

Tickets for Wednesday's game will cost $5 for adults and $3 for students. There will be no passes and no advance sales. The gates open at 6:30 p.m. and those planning on attending are encouraged to get to Claire Lynch Hall early.

The Blazers are undefeated at home in NCAA tournament play under Durbin, including a 91-80 first-round victory over Wisconsin-Stout in 2002 in which then-freshman Johnson scored nine points and pulled down 16 rebounds.

"The last time we were in the tournament we started out at home and that is my favorite game as a college player," said Johnson, who led her team with 19 points, including 17 in the second half, in the win over Carleton Saturday. "The gym was packed. Everybody was cheering. It was just the most fun atmosphere. I can't wait to get out there to play on Wednesday."

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