Wilkowski scores 21 in loss to Blazers

A low-scoring first-half (the Blazers led 27-23 as the teams headed to the locker rooms) turned into a exciting second half that saw the Pipers come from a 12 point deficit to just one point with 3:15 to play, and stay within three points with less than a minute and a half to play. But as the Pipers fouled to try to regain possession to score, the Blazers’ free throws fell, putting Saint Benedict ahead by 10 to finish the game.

Blazer Danielle Frank ( Fy., Caledonia, Minn.) had 10 points and 18 rebounds (10 defensively) to lead the College of  Saint Benedict to a 64-54 win over host Hamline University in St. Paul on Saturday afternoon.

In addition to Frank’s double-double, Mindy Schmidt (So., Brooklyn Park, Minn.) scored 15 points to lead the Blazers, while Ariel Tauer (Jr., Edina, Minn.) had 12 points.

Hamline was led by Wilkowski's 21 points and eight rebounds. Jessica Heinen (Jr., Spicer, Minn.) also pulled in eight boards and provided three assists while scoring eight points.

The Blazers improved to 10-3, 8-2 MIAC, while the Pipers fell to 7-6, 4-6 MIAC. Hamline remains at home on Monday, January 21, as they take on Macalester at 5:45 p.m. at Hutton Arena. Saint Benedict will host St. Thomas that same night at 7:30 p.m.

Hamline University belongs to the NCAA Division III Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, one of the most competitive conferences in the nation. Hamline supports 19 intercollegiate athletic teams for men and women. Find out more about Hamline athletics at www.hamline.edu/hamline_info/athletics.

Creative and innovative teaching and learning attract a diverse student body of nearly 4,600 undergraduate and graduate students to Hamline University. Challenged to create and apply knowledge in local and global contexts, Hamline students develop an individual and community ethic of social justice, civic responsibility, and inclusive leadership and service.

Ranked first in Minnesota among comprehensive master’s universities by U.S.News & World Report, Hamline is also Minnesota’s first university, founded in 1854, and among the first co-educational institutions in the nation.