By DONNY NADEAU
Saint Mary's Sports Information Director
 
WINONA, Minn. — It was a passing of the torch, so to speak, for the Saint Mary's University of Minnesota women's basketball team when the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference handed out its post-season awards Tuesday.
 
Four years ago, Brandi Blattner (Eyota, Minn.) began an illustrious four-year collegiate career as a Cardinal that included a spot on the MIAC All-First Year Team.
 
On Wednesday, Blattner closed out that stellar career with her fourth straight selection to the All-MIAC First-Team, as well as a spot on the MIAC All-Defensive Team for a second consecutive year, while teammate Brooklyn Paulson (Holmen, Wis.) followed her freshman lead and represented the Cardinals on the MIAC All-First Year Team — not to mention being named Co-MIAC Rookie of the Year, as well as honorable-mention All-MIAC.
 
Blattner, in her final year in a Cardinal uniform, and Paulson in her first, helped guide Saint Mary's to a 13-13 overall record and a 9-9 conference showing — including the Cardinals' seventh MIAC Playoff appearance in the last eight years
 
Blattner, who missed the first three conference games due to an injury, closed out her collegiate career in style, averaging a team-high 15.5 ppg, while also hauling in 99 rebounds (8.8 rpg). The senior forward, who scored 10 or more points in 15 of the 17 conference games she appeared in, also dished out 14 assists, collected 18 steals and had 11 blocks shots. Blattner shot 48.3 percent from the field in conference play (99-for-205), knocked down 15 3-pointers and finished 50-for-65 from the free throw line.
 
In 20 games this season, Blattner averaged a team-high 15.6 ppg and hauled in a team-leading 173 rebounds (8.7 rpg). She finished with 16 assists, recorded 27 steals and tallied 12 blocks. Blattner closed out her senior season leading the Cardinals in scoring in each of their last six games — and 11 times overall.
 
Blattner — who finished her playing career ranked No. 3 all-time in scoring with 1,495 points and third in career rebounds with 922 — scored 20 or more points five times this season and 25 times in her four-year collegiate career, while also leading the team with six double-doubles this season.
 
Paulson turned more than a few heads during her inaugural campaign with the Cardinals — and teamed with Blattner the duo made a lethal 1-2 punch.
 
The Cardinal freshman finished second to Blattner in scoring, averaging 10.7 ppg. The long-range sharp-shooter poured in 44 3-pointers in MIAC play, while also recording 12 assists, 14 steals and three blocked shots. Paulson shot 35.9 percent from the field (69-for-192) and was 10 of 13 (76.9 percent) from the free throw line.
 
The only Saint Mary's player to start all 26 games this season, Paulson closed out her freshman season averaging 11.2 ppg, while leading the Cardinals with 64 3-pointers — second all-time in program history. She also delivered 26 assists, 23 steals and four blocked shots.
 
Paulson scored 20 or more points three times this season, while knocking down a single-game career-high seven 3-pointers en route to her season- and career-high 23-point showing against Augsburg on Jan. 5. Paulson's seven 3-pointers were one shy of the school record, set by Ashley Luehmann on Jan. 22, 2005.
 
St. Thomas senior Hannah Spaulding was named the MIAC Player of the Year, while Aiza Wilson of Augsburg earned the Sixth Player of the Year Award, and St. Olaf's K'Lynn Lewis joined Paulson as Co-MIAC Rookie of the Year. Ted Riverso, who guided Augsburg to a second-place regular-season finish and a berth in the MIAC Tournament title game, was tabbed MIAC Coach of the Year.
 
The MIAC also announced the 12th annual All-MIAC Sportsmanship team for women's basketball, which included the Cardinals' Kirsten Keefe (Chatfield, Minn.)