Blazers' Balance Shining Through
1. Anna Heikenen. She is averaging a team-best 17.5 points per game, and she's only gotten better in the postseason. In her team's three MIAC Tournament games, Heikenen averaged 20.7 points and 7.7 rebounds per game.
This despite bronchitis, a bruised back suffered when she crashed to the court in the semifinals at Concordia, and being knocked to the wall while going up for a layup late in Saturday's 77-74 championship game victory at Carleton.
Three straight times in the final three minutes of the first half Saturday, the Knights scored to cut the Blazers' lead to as little as four or three points.
Each time, Heikenen, who was named MIAC women's player of the week, responded with a jump shot at the other end.
Carleton junior Megan Vig and defending MIAC MVP Mandy Pearson have staked out solid claims to this year's award. But no one has meant as much to her team as Heikenen.
2. Solid post play overall. Senior Kim Johnson is averaging 13.8 points and 6.7 rebounds per game in her team's last six contests. She had a team-best 19 Saturday.
But St. Benedict's inside strength extends beyond its two starters. Senior Tara Schloe and sophomore Ellie Boone have logged valuable minutes off the bench. Both are averaging 6.8 points per game in their team's last six games.
Over that same stretch, the four Blazers posts have combined to score 290 points (48.3 points per game).
3. Different backcourt standouts. Sophomore wings Katie Kempe and Jen Dalhed each had 12 points in a 74-62 opening-round victory over St. Thomas.
But Saturday, the backcourt star was Darby Noreen. The 2003 Times All-Area Player of the Year broke out of a mini-scoring slump, going 4-for-4 from beyond the 3-point line and finishing with 16 points. Her shooting helped jump-start St. Benedict after a slow start.
4. Bench play. In their team's three MIAC playoff games, the Blazers got 51 points off their bench. Their three opponents got just 31 points from their reserves. St. Benedict's team depth allowed head coach Mike Durbin to bring in more rested players at key points.
5. Drawing fouls. In three MIAC playoff games, the Blazers went 60-for-89 from the free-throw line. Their opposition was just 40-for-52. In the first round, St. Benedict was 24-for-28 from the line while St. Thomas was 6-for-9.
So there you have it. And if that sounds like praise for just about everyone in the team's rotation, well, that may be the biggest reason of them all for St. Benedict's recent success.
The Blazers are playing as well, and as balanced, as they have all season. And they're doing it at just the right time.
This column is the opinion of Times sports writer Frank Rajkowski. Call him at 255-8772 or e-mail him at frajkowski@stcloudtimes.com
Athletic Department
College of Saint Benedict
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St. Joseph, MN 56374
320-363-5301
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