Northfield, Minn. – Megan Vig (Fy./Northfield, Minn.) matched her career high with 21 points and Linnea Engel (Jr./Shoreview, Minn./Mounds View) added 16 points, five rebounds and five steals as 10th-ranked Carleton College used a 22-4 first-half run to beat the University of St. Thomas, 68-48, in the MIAC Playoff semifinals.
Vig was 8-for-11 from the field, including 3-of-4 from three-point range, and added six rebounds for the Knights (24-2), who snapped a two-game losing streak and beat St. Thomas (15-12) for the third straight year in the MIAC Playoffs. The Knights are two-time defending conference tournament champions.
Carleton advances to the MIAC Playoff title game to face Gustavus Adolphus College, 67-62 winners over the College of St. Benedict in the other semifinal. Carleton and Gustavus split during the regular season, with Carleton taking a 61-51 decision at Gustavus on Jan. 20 and the Gusties edging the Knights 63-62 this past Saturday. Game time is 3 p.m. at Carleton’s West Gym.
Erica Opdahl led the Toms with 12 points, eight rebounds and seven blocked shots. Opdahl’s rejections ties the UST school record, set by Laurie Trow against Bethel during the 1990-91 season. Emily Buehler added 11 points for the Tommies.
The Tommies broke to an early 17-10 lead, scoring nine unanswered points to take their largest lead of the game. The Knights responded by scoring 22 of the next 26 points, building their lead to 32-21 before Kristi Huegel hit a runner at the first-half horn to make it 32-23 at the break.
The Knights opened the second half with an 8-3 spurt and put the lead out to 20, 57-37, with 7:31 remaining.
Carleton shot 41.3 percent from the floor and held the Tommies to 33.3 percent on 17-of-51 shooting. The Knights held a 40-37 edge on the glass and forced 21 Tommies turnovers, as the Knights outscored the Toms 24-6 in points off turnovers.
Carleton will go for its third straight MIAC Playoff title on Saturday, March 1, hosting Gustavus at 3 p.m. Tickets are $5 for adults and $2 for students. The game can be heard locally on KRDS 95.5 FM and via the Carleton athletics’ Website.
Carleton vs. St. Thomas – MIAC Playoff Semifinals
Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2003Northfield, Minn. (West Gym)
Postgame quotes from Carleton
Head coach Tammy Metcalf-Filzen on team’s reaction to two straight losses
We got back to work on Monday and it showed today.
On Linnea Engel and Megan Vig
They were absolutely essential for us. We had some people step up for us when some of our seniors had a little bit of a slow start.
On slow start
We talked about spreading things out more at halftime, and actually reading their defense better. Once we started doing that we got better looks.
On making it back to MIAC Playoff title game for third straight year and playing Gustavus
We don’t care who it is. We are just glad to be in the championship on our home court.
First-year forward Megan Vig on her early defense and rebounding
Tammy talked to me yesterday and those were the key things I needed to work on. I watched some tape and realized I wasn’t boxing out as well as I should have. So one of my goals was to get all the rebounds I could.
On her shooting
It felt good. Tammy and the other coaches noticed they would switch and get smaller guards on me and then they would put me inside. I love the post.
On facing Gustavus again
I’m excited. We did not play very well in the first half last time. And we are ready to avenge that loss. I am excited.