Notables
-Thomas recorded a game-high 22 points for CSS
-The win snaps a 21-game losing streak against MIAC opponents for CSS, dating back to the 2005-06 season
-CSS is now 4-6 all-time against St. Olaf
DULUTH, Minn. (
csssaints.com) – The College of St. Scholastica women's basketball team kicked off its 2017-18 campaign by hosting the visiting St. Olaf College Oles from the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) Wednesday night. The Oles played even with the Saints for a majority of the game, but when it came down to the final minutes it was CSS coming out on top 69-63 with
Rashonna Thomas (Minneapolis, Minn./Columbia Heights HS (Anoka-Ramsey CC)) recording a game-high 22 points.
First Half
After
Danielle Cieluch (Duluth, Minn./Duluth East HS) opened up the game with the first two points on a jumper, St. Olaf took control by going on an 8-0 run to lead by six with four minutes remaining in the first period. The 8-2 lead slowly grew, extending to 20-8 with under 45 seconds left on the clock.
Holly VanKempen (Elbow Lake, Minn./West Central HS) converted on an and-one before the buzzer, giving the Saints a bit of momentum heading into the second period.
Sam Brannen (Ramsey, Minn./Anoka HS) and Michala Walter combined for the first five points of the second period, bring the Saints to within four at 20-16. Walter netted another three a minute later after an Ole jumper to cut the lead to three. She wasn't done there, however, as she grabbed the ensuing defensive rebound, turned up the court, and found
Rashonna Thomas (Minneapolis, Minn./Columbia Heights HS (Anoka-Ramsey CC)) for three to tie the game up.
The teams then traded baskets for a while, finding themselves tied at 35-35 with two minutes remaining in the half. Brannen then laid one in to give the Saints a two-point lead at 37-35, but the lead would shift in favor of St. Olaf heading into the locker room as the Oles connected on a late three-point attempt to make it 39-37.
Second Half
The Saints didn't lead again until there were under five minutes remaining in the third period, which is when Thomas started to heat up after knocking down a three to give CSS a 47-46 advantage. St. Olaf answered with an and-one to lead by two, but
Taylor Nowling (Mora, Minn./Mora HS) answered the St. Olaf bucket with one of her own off a nice pass from VanKempen to tie it up at 49.
The Oles capitalized on a bad pass from CSS moments later, making the breakaway layup to take the 51-49 lead with a little more than two minutes remaining. The final two minutes were quiet, however, as neither team could muster another point.
Kaylee Kennedy (Littlefork, Minn./Littlefork-Big Falls HS) kicked things off for the Saints in the fourth quarter with a free throw, which marked her first collegiate point, to bring the Saints within one. The Oles once again answered with a bucket in the post, then both teams once again fell quiet as neither team scored for the next two minutes.
Brannen broke the dry spell with two free throws to make the score 53-52 in favor of St. Olaf. The Oles kept with the game plan, running a high-low offensive look and using their size for another layup to go up three. Thomas had another answer, draining another three-pointer to tie the game once again. This time, however, Thomas didn't plan on giving the lead back to the visitors.
After knocking down the tying three, Thomas picked a St. Olaf ball handler and finished on the other end despite some hard contact for an and-one opportunity. She converted on the free throw, then scored about 10 seconds later once again on a spin move in the lane to put the Saints up 60-55.
The Oles tried to crawl back into the game, but senior veteran Brannen stayed calm, cool, and collected at the line as she went 4-for-4 along with a sneaky backdoor layup to seal the game for the Saints. Cieluch added two free throws of her own, and Thomas put one in with three seconds left to give the Saints the 69-63 victory.
Top Performers
The Saints were led by Anoka-Ramsey Community College transfer
Rashonna Thomas (Minneapolis, Minn./Columbia Heights HS (Anoka-Ramsey CC)), who recorded 22 points and three steals in the win.
Sam Brannen (Ramsey, Minn./Anoka HS) also found herself high up on the scoring list, netting 17 points.
Holly VanKempen (Elbow Lake, Minn./West Central HS) took control in the paint against a big St. Olaf team, hauling in 10 rebounds and recording three blocks.
St. Olaf was led by Samantha Tisa and Makenna Ash, who each had double-double performances in points and rebounds. Ella Skrien led the way defensively, recording a game-high five steals to go along with her 12 points.
Up Next
The Saints will have the rest of the week off, resting up for a trip to Minneapolis next Tuesday to take on Augsburg University at 5 p.m.
