Notables
-Cieluch sets single-game and single-season program record for blocks
-Cieluch surpasses 100 career blocks
-Bench Points: CSS-21, Finlandia-0
DULUTH, Minn. (
csssaints.com) – The St. Scholastica women's basketball team took its first lead of the game with less than three minutes remaining and a
Michala Walther (Roseville, Minn./Concordia Academy) layup with 43 seconds left gave the Saints the lead for good in a 53-49 victory over Finlandia University (Mich.) Wednesday night.
The Action
The Saints were held to just five points until the final three minutes of the first quarter, while the Lions (5-17) collected 18 points. A couple of free throws from Walther and
Kaylee Kennedy (Littlefork, Minn./Littlefork-Big Falls HS) as well as a three-pointer from
Alison Huber (Ashland, Wis./Ashland HS (Hibbing CC)) allowed the Saints to cut the Lions' advantage by more than half before moving into the second period. St. Scholastica came as close as three before Finlandia scored nine of the next 11 points to pull away once again going into halftime with a 32-34 advantage.
The Saints outscored the Lions 12-9 in the third quarter, still leaving Finlandia with a 41-36 advantage. St. Scholastica dominated the fourth quarter, going on an 8-2 run behind six straight points by
Mariah Pearson (Blaine, Minn./Blaine HS) in order to take the lead for the first time of the night.
With 25 seconds remaining, the Saints were up 47-46 and the Lions were forced to foul, giving Walther and Cieluch the opportunity to sink a couple free throws apiece which would be enough to lead St. Scholastica to a 53-49 well-deserved victory.
Cieluch's Block Party
Danielle Cieluch (Duluth, Minn./Duluth East HS), who tied the program record for blocks in a game twice this season, finally broke that record on Wednesday, recording eight. Five of those blocks came in the second half. She also set the single-season blocks program record becoming the first Saint to reach 60 in a year. She now has 107 blocks in her career, which is the third-most all-time.
Other Top Performers for the Saints
Walther led the Saints with 14 points and eight rebounds.
Emma Schmidt (Alexandria, Minn./Alexandria HS) had nine points.
Top Performers for the Opponent
Katie Lundeen had a game-high 21 points and Katie Loman tallied nine points and nine rebounds.
Up Next
The Saints (6-15) will stay home and welcome Alums back to the Reif Gymnasium on Saturday as the University of Northwestern (Minn.) visits. Action is slated for 3 p.m.
