ST. JOSEPH, Minn. -- Jessica Lillquist (JR, Sebeka, Minn./Sebeka HS) led Augsburg College in securing its first ever MIAC Playoff berth as the Auggies posted a 47-37 victory over the College of Saint Benedict in Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference women's basketball action on Wednesday evening at Claire Lynch Hall.

THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Augsburg 47, Saint Benedict 37
LOCATION: Claire Lynch Hall, St. Joseph, Minn.
RECORDS: Augsburg 14-10 overall (9-8 MIAC), St. Benedict 11-13 overall (8-9 MIAC)

HOW IT HAPPENED
• The Augsburg women's basketball team started the game with solid defense, not allowing CSB a field goal for the first nine minutes of action, while the Auggies jumped out to a quick 16-4 lead.
• The Auggie defense kept the Blazers out of their offensive rhythm and was able to extend their lead to as many as 12 before going on to earn the crucial 47-37 victory. 
• Augsburg led for 36 minutes and only allowed the Blazers to lead for just 14 seconds in the game.
• Lillquist led the Auggie offense with 12 points and added three rebounds and an assist.
• Abbey Luger (SR, Oakdale, Minn./North St. Paul HS) and Marie Fitzgerald (JR, Fort Atkinson, Wis.) led  the Auggies on the boards, each pulling down nine rebounds. Luger added seven points and two steals, while Fitzgerald added six points, four assists and two steals.
• Jenna Orth (JR, Melrose, Minn.) led the Auggie defense with a game-high four steals, while adding seven rebounds and four points.
• For the game, Augsburg shot 34.5 percent (19-of-55) from the field, while St. Ben's connected on just 26.5 percent (13-of-54) of its shot attempts.
• The Auggies posted an impressive 41-33 advantage on the boards.
• Augsburg claimed a 16-0 advantage in points off turnovers and a 26-14 advantage in points in the paint.

FOR THE FOES
• Saint Ben's was led offensively by Mattie Lueck, who finished with 10 points and four assists.
• Niki Fokken led the Blazers on the boards, pulling down a game-high 12 rebounds, while adding six points.

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE
• With the win, Augsburg secured its first-ever birth in the MIAC playoffs. The Auggies have secured either a fifth or sixth seed in the tournament depending on Saturday's results.
• The victory over St. Benedict marks the third consecutive win over the Blazers. The last time the Auggies posted three consecutive wins over CSB dates back to the 1982-83 to 1985-86 seasons where Augsburg posted five consecutive wins over the Blazers.
• With the win, the Auggies tie their total for most wins in a season (14) which they posted in the 2011-12 and 1983-84 seasons.

UP NEXT
• Augsburg plays its final game of the regular season on Saturday (2/21) when the Auggies travel to Moorhead, Minn. to take on Concordia College in a men's and women's doubleheader. Women tip-off at 1 p.m., while the men's action begins at 3 p.m.
• St. Ben's finishes its season on Saturday (2/21) when Blazers travel to St. Peter, Minn. to take on Gustavus Adolphus College.