BOXSCORE ST. JOSEPH, Minn. -- The Augsburg College women's basketball team recorded a 61-45 victory over the College of Saint Benedict in Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference action on Monday night at Claire Lynch Hall. The win marks the first time that Augsburg has swept the College of Saint Benedict since the 1985-86 season.

The win marks the third victory over Saint Benedict in Head Coach Bill McKee's tenure -- ironically the only three victories for the Augsburg program since that 1985-86 season. A 61-50 victory on Nov. 30, 2011 in Coach McKee's first season broke a 25-season, 50-game losing streak to the Blazers and was the first time in Saint Benedict coach Mike Durbin's career that he had lost to the Auggies.

Augsburg (11-10 overall, 8-10 MIAC) had its best shooting performance of the season, posting a 58.5 percent (24-of-41) shooting percentage, including a staggering 80.0 percent (8-for-10) from beyond the arc in the victory. Offensively, Augsburg was led by the duo of Jill Tichy (SR, Excelsior, Minn./Minnetonka HS) and Jenna Orth (SO, Melrose, Minn./Melrose HS). Tichy posted a game-high 17 points on 7-of-12 shooting from the floor, while Orth scored a career-high 14 points on 6-of-7 shooting.

Saint Benedict (10-11 overall, 7-11 MIAC) was led by Annie Dittberner and Brianna Barrett, who finished with eight points apiece.

Augsburg raced out to a quick 6-0 lead -- which proved to be a lead the Auggies would never relinquish. The Augsburg defense kept the Blazers out of sync and held them to just 12 points in the first half. Augsburg took a 31-12 lead into the locker room at the intermission.

Augsburg was able to maintain its double digit lead for the entire second-half and cruised on to the 61-45 victory.

For the game, Augsburg converted on 58.5 percent (24-of-41) from the field -- the best shooting effort for the Auggies since a 61.7 percent (29-of-47) shooting effort in a victory over Gustavus on Feb. 12, 2005. St. Benedict was only able to connect on 29.8 percent (17-of-57) of its shots. The Auggies claimed a 29-28 advantage on the boards and posted 17 team assists, including a career-best seven from Jessica Lillquist (SO, Sebeka, Minn./Sebeka HS). 

The Auggies return to action on Wednesday (2/12) with an important MIAC contest at Hamline University as the Auggies attempt to claim one of the two remaining MIAC playoff spots.