Blazers Defeat Simpson 80-63, Advance to Second Round

March 2, 2005 - The Blazer basketball team (23-4) knocked off Simpson College (22-7) 80-63 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament tonight. Junior Anna Heikenen (Edina/ scored a game-high 25 points and senior Kim Johnson (Arden Hills/Mounds View) played a stellar defensive game pulling down 12 boards and six blocks to lead the Blazers past the Storm.

Saint Ben's knocked down three from behind the arc in the first five minutes of the game as the Blazers went up 13-2. CSB then saw its lead diminish to one point at 28-27 with just over two minutes to go. The Blazers led by 33-28 at halftime.

The Blazers pulled out to a nine point lead to start the second half before the Storm went on a 9-0 run to get back within five at 48-43. Saint Ben's then used a run of its own as junior Justine Richels (Breckenridge/Breckenridge) knocked down four three pointers in the second half to send the Blazers back up by double digits.

The Blazers shot 47 percent from the field for the game, while holding the Storm to just 35 percent shooting. Sophomore Darby Noreen (Avon/Albany) finished with 13 points for CSB, while sophomore Katie Kempe (St. Paul/Cretin Derham) added 11. Richels scored 12 points.

The Blazers will now travel to Iowa to take on Buena Vista Saturday in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Game time is 7 p.m.

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