St. Mary’s Women Clinch Fourth Straight Playoff Berth

The St. Mary's University Cardinal women's basketball team held off the Carleton Knights on Wednesday night 64-56 to secure their fourth straight MIAC playoffs.

Statistically, it was about as even as it gets. Both teams had five threes and were as cold as the below-zero weather outside from beyond the arc. Both teams scored nine points at the free throw line. Both teams had 11 turnovers. The difference in the game was 5-foot-6 senior Octavia Brown of Broadview, Ill., for St. Mary's, who had 12 points and 10 rebounds in 34 minutes of action.

St. Mary's pulled away early,  Carleton fought back and then the Cardinals went on a 10-0 run to take a 33-26 halftime lead.

Carleton was led by junior guard Michele Arima of Valencia, Calif., with 14 points and senior Skyler Tsutsui of Northridge, Calif., who added 11. Freshman post Nenna Ezem of Berkeley, Ill., grabbed nine rebounds to go along with her five points in 25 minutes. Tsutsui is now three points away from tying for seventh on the all-time Carleton women's basketball scoring list and missed much of last season with a shoulder injury.

Kenyon-Wanamingo graduate Shelby Auseth starts for St. Mary's and was named an honorable mention all-conference performer a season ago. The junior is the second-leading scorer and second-leading rebounder for St. Mary's, and the Cardinals are 34-5 since her freshman year. After the game, she stopped by for a quick visit. It's always nice to see area athletes do well in their chosen sport. Auseth is a business major with an emphasis on human resources.

Faribault Bethlehem Academy graduate Jessie Mathews also said howdy before the game. Mathews has been saddled with knee injuries and hasn't seen much time on the hardwood, but was like a coach for St. Mary's during warmups.

In other women's games, Concordia bested St. Olaf 66-53 to dash the Oles' hopes of making the playoffs. St. Thomas downed Bethel 81-77 in Arden Hills and the MIAC regular-season conference champs will try to finish their season unbeaten Saturday when they host Hamline. Gustavus clinched a playoff berth with a 69-49 win over Macalester in St. Peter. Augsburg downed St. Benedict in St. Joseph 47-37 to dash the Blazers' playoff hopes. St. Catherine upended Hamline 74-66 behind the Kenyon-Wanamingo graduate Clark twins. Audra had 23 points and five rebounds and Meg had 11 points and six rebounds.

In men's action, Carleton defeated St. Mary's in Northfield 75-59 thanks to Tianen Chen's 22 points off the bench. The Bethel Royals upset St. Thomas 71-65 in overtime at St. Thomas. It was the Tommies first home loss of the season. St. John's beat Augsburg in Minneapolis 72-61. Gustavus got by Macalester in St. Paul 70-61.

The playoff teams have all been determined with one game left in the regular season. On the women's side, unbeaten and No. 2 NCAA Division III-ranked St. Thomas will be the top seed. Bethel, Gustavus, St. Mary's, Concordia and Augsburg are the other teams. The Bethel Royals will be the No. 2 seed.

In men's action, St. Thomas and St. Olaf will be the top seeds, St. John's, Bethel, Gustavus and Concordia will fill the remaining spots.