WINONA, Minn. — For the second time in as many games, Brandi Blattner (Eyota, Minn.) was the driver of the Saint Mary's University of Minnesota women's basketball team's first-half offensive match.
 
Blattner, who scored 12 points in the Cardinals' 65-49 win over Hamline on Wednesday, equaled that performance Saturday afternoon, pouring in 12 points in the opening 20 minutes against St. Olaf.
 
Unlike Wednesday, however, the Oles could not duplicate the Pipers' second-half defensive effort, as Blattner—who was held without a point in the final 20 minutes against Hamline—erupted for 16 points to finish with a game-high 28 points.
 
Unfortunately for the Cardinals, Blattner's effort was not enough, as St. Olaf closed the game on a 10-2 run in handing Saint Mary's a 60-57 Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference setback at the Saint Mary's Gym.
 
Neither team could get much offense going early, as the Oles grabbed an 11-9 lead after the game's opening quarter, and held a two-point, 30-28 edge heading into the locker room at the break.
 
St. Olaf scored the first eight points of the third quarter to push its lead to 10, 38-28, and led by 11, 44-33 heading into the game's final 10 minutes.
 
The Cardinals—thanks in large part the offensive prowess of Blattner and the long-range shooting of Alexa Huisman (Adrian, Minn.), who knocked down two clutch 3-pointers—clawed their way back, taking a 49-48 lead on a Blattner layup with 4:20 remaining in regulation.
 
Saint Mary's pushed that lead to five, 55-50 with less than three minutes on the clock, but over those final 180 seconds, the Cardinals would manage just a Blattner layup, as the Oles rallied late to steal the win.
 
Blattner went 12 of 19 from the field and was 4-for-4 from the free throw line en route to her 28 points, while Huisman drained five of the team's six 3-pointers in scoring 17 points.
 
Betsey Daly scored 21 points and added 11 rebounds, while Makenna Ash also had a double-double for the Oles with 14 points and 13 points.
 
The Cardinals (7-7 MIAC, 13-8 overall) are back in action on Wednesday, traveling to Bethel's Robertson Center Gym for a 7 p.m. showdown with the Royals.