The Knights, who shot 54 percent from the floor and outscored Bethel 16-6 in second-chance point, earned the top seed in the upcoming MIAC Playoffs.
Carleton (18-5, 18-2 MIAC) held a 36-26 lead at halftime and put the game out of reach quickly, scoring eight straight points on an eventual 13-4 run to start the second half.
Colbenson scored 15 of her points in the second half, including 10 in the first eight minutes of the half, and was the game's leading rebounder as she pulled down seven boards. Vig and Katie Freeman each also had seven rebounds for the Knights.
Beth Freeman was the only other Knight in double figures, as she scored 11 points.
Carleton shot 43 percent from behind the arc while out-rebounding Bethel 38-21.
Jen Ahlberg and Heather Davis led the way for the Royals, each scoring 16 points.
The regular season title is the third straight for Carleton, but the first that they have not shared. Last season the Knights lost two of their last three games to be forced to share the title with St. Benedict. In the 2002-2003 season, Carleton was tri-champion of the MIAC along with St. Benedict and Gustavus Adolphus. The last school to win the women’s basketball title outright was St. Thomas in the 2000-01 season.
The Knights have the number one seed in the MIAC Playoffs, which means that they have a bye through the quarterfinals, and every MIAC Playoff game that they play will be at the West Gym. Their first postseason game will be on Wednesday, Feb. 23 at the West Gym against the worst seed to win in the quarterfinals.
The quarterfinals will be played on Monday, and will be #6 St. Thomas at #3 St. Benedict, and #5 Gustavus Adolphus at #4 St. Mary's. Concordia has the number two seed, and will host the other semifinal. Tip-off for the semifinal game is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
Carleton College vs Bethel University 02/19/05 1:00 p.m. at Robertson Center at Bethel University At Robertson Center at Bethel University CARLETON COLLEGE 79, BETHEL UNIVERSITY 63 CARLETON COLLEGE (18-2 MIAC, 18-5) Kristi Colbenson 11-17 2-2 25; Megan Vig 8-13 4-4 23; Beth Freeman 4-7 3-4 11; Andrea Korb 3-4 0-0 8; Andrea Dahl 2-3 0-0 4; Katie Freeman 2-5 0-0 4; Kate Krueger 1-5 0-0 2; Becky Craig 0-0 2-2 2; Emily Strandmark 0-2 0-0 0; Taylor Ross 0-1 0-0 0; Joy Esboldt 0-0 0-2 0. Totals 31-57 11-14 79. BETHEL UNIVERSITY (6-14 MIAC, 8-16) Heather Davis 4-8 8-10 16; Jen Ahlberg 6-12 2-3 16; Emily Uzpen 4-11 1-2 9; Liz Glesne 2-4 1-2 5; Angela Seim 0-1 5-6 5; Molly Daniels 1-1 0-0 3; JoLynn Thielke 1-4 1-2 3; Emily Stavem 0-2 2-2 2; Kayla Shumpski 1-1 0-0 2; Bridget Weber 0-0 2-2 2; Brittany Boyd 0-0 0-0 0; Betsy Stevens 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 19-45 22-29 63. Carleton College.............. 36 43 - 79 Bethel University............. 26 37 - 63 3-point goals-Carleton College 6-14 (Megan Vig 3-6; Andrea Korb 2-2; Kristi Colbenson 1-2; Kate Krueger 0-2; Emily Strandmark 0-1; Beth Freeman 0-1), Bethel University 3-12 (Jen Ahlberg 2-6; Molly Daniels 1-1; Angela Seim 0-1; JoLynn Thielke 0-2; Emily Stavem 0-1; Emily Uzpen 0-1). Fouled out--Carleton College-Andrea Dahl, Bethel University-None. Rebounds-Carleton College 38 (Katie Freeman 7; Kristi Colbenson 7; Megan Vig 7), Bethel University 21 (Emily Uzpen 4; Jen Ahlberg 4). Assists-Carleton College 21 (Megan Vig 4; Beth Freeman 4), Bethel University 10 (Kayla Shumpski 2; JoLynn Thielke 2). Total fouls-Carleton College 22, Bethel University 13. A-453 Carleton clinches MIAC title outright for first time in school history... Knights will be top seed in MIAC Playoffs... Career-high 25 points for Kristi Colbenson