Blazers Advance to MIAC Playoff Semifinals

Feb. 21, 2005 - The number three seed Blazer basketball team (20-4, 17-4 MIAC) advanced to Wednesday's MIAC semifinals at Concordia with tonight's 74-62 win over number six seed St. Thomas.

Junior Anna Heikenen (Edina/Edina) got things rolling for the Saint Ben's, scoring the Blazers' first six points of the game. The Tommies and Blazers exchanged leads for the first five minutes, but CSB was eventually able to pull ahead by 11 points. St. Thomas made a run in the final minutes of the half to cut into the score, but the Blazers took a 34-28 lead into halftime.

In the second half the Blazers kept hold of their lead, extending it to as many as 13 points. The Tommies came as close as five points down with just over six minutes to go, but the Blazers held on for the win. Saint Ben's shot 47 percent from the field for the game and held a 38-30 rebound advantage. Heikenen finished with 19 points, while senior Kim Johnson (Arden Hills/Mounds View) chipped in 14 points and grabbed nine bouards. Sophomores Katie Kempe (St. Paul/Cretin-Derham) and Jen Dalhed (Apple Valley/Apple Valley) each added 12 points.

The Blazers will travel to the number two seed Concordia-Moorhead Wednesday to take on the Cobbers in the semifinals of the MIAC Playoffs. Number four seed Saint Mary's won the other quarterfinal game 67-60 and will travel to the number one seed Carleton Wednesday.

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