WINONA Minn. — The Saint Mary's University women's basketball team is back on its home court on Saturday, as the Cardinals entertain Saint Benedict in a key early-season MIAC showdown at the SMU Gym. Tip is set for 3 p.m.

The Matchup:
Saint Mary's Cardinals (1-1 MIAC | 3-1 Overall) vs. Saint Benedict Blazers (0-1 MIAC | 3-1 Overall)

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Last Action:
The Cardinals had their season-opening three-game winning streak snapped on Wednesday, as SMU fell behind by 11 at the half and could not recover, falling to Bethel 78-69 in Arden Hills, Minn. … Saint Benedict also suffered its first loss of the season Wednesday, as the Blazers fell to St. Catherine 70-69 in St. Joseph, Minn.

SMU vs. Saint Benedict — A Year Ago:
December 8, 2012: Jessica Thone (Woodbury, Minn.) scored a team-high 12 points in the Cardinals' MIAC game against Saint Benedict — but none were more important than her last two. Thone took the in-bounds pass, drove the length of the court and drained a jumper with nine seconds remaining in regulation, as the Cardinals handed the Blazers a 60-58 MIAC setback in St. Joseph, Minn.
February 13, 2013: There were plenty of stars shining for SMU — but none shined brighter than Shelby Auseth (Wanamingo, Minn.). In arguably the biggest game of the season, the Cardinal freshman came up with her biggest game, as Auseth netted a career-high 12 points — including a pair of clutch 3-pointers in the second half — to spark SMU to a 70-62 conference victory over Saint Benedict at the SMU Gym.

Up Next:
The Cardinals hit the road for their final game before the Christmas break on Monday, as SMU heads to Northfield, Minn., for a 7:30 p.m. conference matchup with St. Olaf. … Saint Benedict returns home on Monday, as the Blazers entertain Hamline in a 7:30 p.m. MIAC contest in St. Joseph, Minn.

Scouting The Saint Mary's Cardinals:
2013-14 Roster | 2013-14 Statistics | 2013-14 Schedule
With their sweep of Saint Benedict last season, the Cardinals have now won four straight against the Blazers. … Wednesday's loss to Bethel snapped SMU's season-opening three-game winning streak. … The Cardinals' 78-69 loss to the Royals also snapped their three-game winning streak vs. Bethel. … Despite Wednesday's loss, the Cardinals head into Saturday's game against Saint Benedict having won eight of their last 10, and 17 of their last 20, over the past two seasons. … Shelby Auseth (Wanamingo, Minn.) scored a career-high 18 points against Bethel Wednesday. …  Auseth has now led the team in scoring in three of the Cardinals' four games. … Courtney Euerle (Litchfield, Minn.) also scored in double figures against the Royals, finishing with 14 points. … Euerle — an All-MIAC honorable-mention and MIAC All-Defensive Team selection for the second straight season last year — has scored 10 or more points in all four games this season and 31 times in her collegiate career. … Auseth and Euerle head into Saturday's game against Saint Benedict averaging in double figures at 13.5 ppg and 12.5 ppg, respectively. … Euerle also leads the team in rebounding with 30 boards (7.5 rpg), one more than Miriam Awoniyi (Country Club Hills, Ill.). … Bridget Pethke (New London, Wis.), who leads the team with 22 assists, equaled her career-best with seven assists vs. Crown on Nov. 23. … As a team, the Cardinals have drained 21 3-pointers — including a season-high seven twice (vs. UW-La Crosse and vs. Crown). … SMU heads into Saturday's game against Saint Benedict averaging 79.2 ppg, while limiting its opponents to just 51.5 ppg. … With their win over Crown on Nov. 23, the Cardinals improved to 13-1 on their home court over the last two seasons — the lone loss coming at the hands of regular-season conference champion Concordia on Feb. 3, 2013. … The Cardinals broke a pair of long-standing school records with their 107-29 victory over Crown on Nov. 23. The Cardinals' 107 points were a school record — breaking the previous high of 106 set in a 106-30 win over Carleton on Feb. 19, 1986. SMU's 78-point margin of victory was also a new school record, two points better than the old mark of 76, also set during that Feb. 19, 1986 win over Carleton. … The Cardinals have now started 3-0 in each of their last two seasons. … Thanks to their 53-44 win over Macalester on Nov. 21, the Cardinals have opened conference play with a victory in each of the last four years.

Scouting The Saint Benedict Blazers:
2013-14 Roster | 2013-14 Statistics | 2013-14 Schedule
Saturday's game at Saint Mary's is the first road game of the season for the Blazers, who played their first four games — and five of their first six — on their home court. … Saint Benedict had its season-opening three-game winning streak snapped with its one-point loss to St. Catherine Wednesday. … CSB's 70-69 loss to St. Catherine on Wednesday marked the first time the Wildcats have beaten the Blazers in St. Joseph, Minn., since St. Catherine resurrected its program prior to the 1997-98 season. … Brianna Barrett finished with a team- and season-high 19 points vs. the Wildcats Wednesday. It was the eighth straight game the senior has netted 10 or more points. … Morgan Dale chipped in 15 points and 14 rebounds vs. St. Catherine, giving her three double-doubles in the Blazers' four contests this season. … Barrett and Dale head into Saturday's showdown with Saint Mary's leading the team in scoring, averaging 15.8 ppg and 10.5 ppg, respectively. … Dale also leads the team — and the conference — in rebounding, averaging 12.5 rpg. … The Blazers have drained 23 3-point field goals, led by Annie Dittberner with 6 and Tish Alexander with five. … CSB holds a four-point, 121-117 first-half scoring edge, while outscoring its opponents 148-103 over the game's final 20 minutes. … The Blazers wrapped up the 2012-13 campaign with a 20-7 overall record, reaching the 20-win mark for the 24th time under head coach Mike Durbin. … CSB also posted its 26th season with at least a top-four finish in the final MIAC standings, built largely in part to their 10-2 record at home.