Free throws were the deciding factor as the College of Saint Benedict basketball team was defeated in a close game by Division II St. Cloud State University. The exhibition game, held in Claire Lynch Hall on Saturday, was a hard-fought struggle by both teams, but the Huskies held off the Blazers with a score of 59-54.
The Blazers started out strong with an 8-3 lead over the Huskies with 14 minutes remaining in the first half. However, SCSU didn’t give up too quickly, sinking a basket to bring to score within three. The Blazers held on until the eight minute mark, when a Huskie fast-break turned into a quick two points, making the score 14-15 and giving SCSU its second lead of the game. Both teams exchanged basket for basket for the remainder of the first half, but the Blazers prevailed, holding the lead and entering the locker room at halftime with a score of 30-29.
CSB extended its lead in the second half with a 10-3 run, making the score 40-32 with 14 minutes remaining. However, SCSU battled back and tied the score 40 with 10minutes left on the clock. After eight lead changes these final minutes, the Huskies squeaked by the Blazerswith a final score of 59-54.
Leading the Blazer scoring was sophomore
Amy Stifter (Watertown, MN, Watertown-Mayer), totaling 11 points, followed closely by junior
Mindy Schmidt (Brooklyn Park, MN, Champlin Park), who put together nine points. Sophomores
Danielle Frank (Caledonia, MN, Caledonia) and
Heather Gillund (Ham Lake, MN, Blaine) were tough under the basket, each grabbing six rebounds.
CSB opens its season at home in a nonconference game against Crown College on Saturday, Nov. 15 at 3 p.m. in Claire Lynch Hall.