March 7, 2009

Courtesy of St. Benedict

The College of Saint Benedict basketball team (26-3) kept their season alive as they upset no. 10-ranked University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (23-5) 67-59 in the second round of the NCAA Division III Women’s Basketball Tournament.

CSB jumped to a 5-2 to lead in the first 1:30 of the game, at which point Whitewater took a 4-0 run to lead 6-5 at 16:30.  The Warhawks kept their lead for the following five great when CSB tied the score at 14.  Five minutes and four lead changes later, CSB was still on top, leading 28-26 with 6:30 on the clock.  They eventually headed into the locker room leading 39-32.

The Blazers hung onto their lead for the first seven minutes of the half, despite two threatening ties at 41 and 44 points.  After three minutes of no scoring, Whitewater found its first and only lead of the second half at 46-44.  Two made free throws by senior forward Ariel Tauer (Edina, MN, Edina) put the Blazers in the lead for good with the score at 48-46.  CSB held off the Warhawks to win 67-59.

Tauer had a double-double in tonight’s game, scoring a career-high 22 points and grabbing 11 rebounds.  Sophomore wing Amy Stifter (Watertown, MN, Watertown-Mayer) contributed 15 points, while sophomore forward Laura Canton (Pine Island, MN, Pine Island) had 11 points.  Sophomore post Danielle Frank (Caledonia, MN, Caledonia) grabbed a game-high 14 rebounds.

With this win, CSB advances to the sectionals of the NCAA Tournament next weekend against Washington University at St. Louis.  Time, date, and location to be determined.  Keep watching the Blazer website for updates, or check out www.d3hoops.com for more information.