Thanks to the Knights' 62-48 win, however, the Cardinals now face a new scenario one or none.
SMU, which dropped its second straight game for just the second time this season, is currently tied with Gustavus for the No. 4 spot in the conference standings. With a win on Saturday in their home finale against St. Olaf or a loss by Gustavus in its final regular-season game vs. St. Benedict the Cardinals will lock up that fourth position, and that elusive home playoff game.
Carleton, meanwhile, earned a share of its third straight MIAC regular-season crown with Wednesday's win. It was the second straight vs. SMU this season, and the Knights have now held the Cardinals to their two lowest offensive outputs of the season (42 in a 57-42 loss on Dec. 11, and 48 in Wednesday's 62-48 setback).
SMU struggled from the field all night, shooting just 30 percent (18-for-60) including a dismal 2-for-17 from the 3-point line. Carleton, on the other hand, was unstoppable, especially in the first half, when the Knights made 16 of 25 field-goal attempts (64 percent) and were 5-for-6 from beyond the arc.
Jamie Rattunde (Rollingstone, Minn.) and Angie Arrington (Spring Grove, Minn.) each scored 12 points in the losing effort for SMU, while Megan Vig netted a game-high 17 points and added 11 rebounds for the Knights.
St. Mary's University vs Carleton College 02/16/05 7:30 P.M. at Northfield, MN (West Gym) At Northfield, MN (West Gym) CARLETON COLLEGE 62, ST. MARY'S UNIVERSITY 48 ST. MARY'S UNIVERSITY (16-7 (12-7 MIAC)) Angie Arrington 3-9 4-6 12; Jamie Rattunde 4-15 4-6 12; Megan Moran 5-11 0-0 10; Ashley Luehmann 2-7 2-2 6; Jessica Weisbrod 2-8 0-0 4; Alissa Banttari 2-6 0-0 4; Tessa Stranik 0-0 0-0 0; Kelly Tanke 0-0 0-0 0; April Johnson 0-0 0-0 0; Ashley Fosmo 0-3 0-0 0; Sarah Murphy 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 18-60 10-14 48. CARLETON COLLEGE (17-5 (17-2 MIAC)) Megan Vig 6-14 5-6 17; Beth Freeman 5-9 2-5 13; Kristi Colbenson 6-8 0-3 12; Taylor Ross 2-2 0-0 6; Kate Krueger 2-2 0-0 6; Katie Freeman 2-5 0-0 4; Cassie Hammond 1-3 0-0 2; Andrea Korb 1-2 0-0 2; Becky Craig 0-0 0-0 0; Emily Strandmark 0-0 0-0 0; Joy Esboldt 0-0 0-0 0; Andrea Dahl 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 25-45 7-14 62. St. Mary's University......... 23 25 - 48 Carleton College.............. 38 24 - 62 3-point goals-St. Mary's University 2-17 (Angie Arrington 2-5; Jamie Rattunde 0-1; Megan Moran 0-3; Ashley Luehmann 0-4; Ashley Fosmo 0-3; Sarah Murphy 0-1), Carleton College 5-9 (Kate Krueger 2-2; Taylor Ross 2-2; Beth Freeman 1-2; Megan Vig 0-3). Fouled out--St. Mary's University-Jamie Rattunde, Carleton College-None. Rebounds-St. Mary's University 27 (Jamie Rattunde 7), Carleton College 41 (Megan Vig 11). Assists-St. Mary's University 5 (Angie Arrington 2; Jessica Weisbrod 2), Carleton College 14 (Kate Krueger 5). Total fouls-St. Mary's University 16, Carleton College 16. A-650 Senior Day at Carleton