WINONA, Minn. — St. Benedict hit 17 of 21 free throws in the second half, erasing a 31-30 deficit en route to a 64-53 Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference victory over the Saint Mary's University women's basketball team Saturday afternoon at the SMU gym.

The Cardinals hit four 3-pointers in the game's opening 20 minutes en route to the one-point, 31-30, halftime advantage, and SMU held the Blazers (9-1 MIAC, 11-2 overall) to just eight field goals in the second half. But the Cardinals also sent St. Benedict to the free throw line 21 times — of which the Blazers nailed 17 — to seal the win, the 24th straight time they have beaten the Cardinals dating back to a two-point SMU win on Dec. 12, 1987.

Amy Burns (Winona, Minn.) netted a game-high 16 points and Alissa Erichsen (Spring Valley, Minn.) added 10 for the Cardinals (4-6, 5-8), who have now dropped four straight. Michelle Barlau and Jackie Bye equalled Burns' offensive output with 16 points to pace the Blazers.