The Oles took a 52-49 lead with 3:22 left on a Molly Simon running scoop shot and a Kristy Larson inside bucket. Carleton pulled within one when Katie Freeman and Hammond each split on a pair of free throws. That set up Vig’s heroics, as her basket from point-blank range put the Knights ahead, 53-52, with one minute left.
The Oles had two chances at the game-winning shot in the final minute. Danielle Stoermer missed inside, but the Oles were given a reprieve when Katie Freeman missed a pair of free throws with 25 seconds left. St. Olaf’s Jenny Dettle’s free-throw line jumper was off the mark with three seconds left, allowing the Knights to escape with their 10th consecutive victory over the Oles.
Kristina Stoermer was the lone Ole in double figures for the Oles (2-10, 1-7 MIAC) with 10 points.
Cassie Hammond came off the bench for a season-best 10 points for Carleton (9-3, 9-0 MIAC), who won for the ninth consecutive time and the 19th straight time at West Gym.
The visitors broke to 29-24 halftime lead, closing the stanza 7-2 spurt as Danielle Stoermer’s elbow jumper beat the horn. The Oles held the Knights to one field goal over the final five minutes of the half as Carleton made but 8-of-32 shots in the first half, including 2-for-11 from three-point range.
The Oles stretched their lead to as many as eight, at 38-30, but Carleton rattled off six straight points and finally caught the Oles at 42-41 on Hammond baseline jumper. The Oles answered right back with a Corinne Thomas inside basket and Simon triple. Hammond’s jumper and a Vig basket tied the game at 46-46. Kristi Colbenson’s put-back put the Knights ahead, 48-46, but Kristina Stoermer answered on the other end with a jumper of her own. The lead changed hands twice in the final five minutes.
Carleton shot a frigid 31.7 percent from the floor, its worst performance since its season opener. They committed but 10 turnovers, though, matching its season-best performance in that area, which help offset the Knights’ 13-for-25 performance from the line, its worst of the season. Carleton held a 20-11 edge in points off turnovers, with the Oles owning a 22-14 spread on points in the paint. Carleton’s 15 offensive rebounds translated into a 12-4 difference in second-chance points.
St. Olaf vs Carleton 01/15/05 1:00 P.M. at Northfield, MN At Northfield, MN CARLETON 53, ST. OLAF 52 ST. OLAF (2-10(1-7 MIAC)) Kristina Stoermer 4-5 2-2 10; Kristy Larson 4-13 0-0 8; Christina Sampson 2-9 1-2 6; Danielle Stoermer 3-7 0-0 6; Holly Grimsrud 3-9 0-0 6; Molly Simon 2-5 0-0 5; Chr. Schwichtenberg 2-6 0-2 5; Corinne Thomas 1-1 2-2 4; Jenny Dettle 1-3 0-0 2; Vicky Peterson 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 22-58 5-8 52. CARLETON (9-3 (9-0 MIAC)) Megan Vig 6-14 2-2 15; Cassie Hammond 4-7 2-4 10; Kristi Colbenson 3-6 3-4 9; Kari Christianson 3-14 2-4 8; Andrea Korb 2-7 2-4 6; Kate Krueger 1-5 0-0 3; Katie Freeman 0-5 2-7 2; Andrea Dahl 0-0 0-0 0; Taylor Ross 0-2 0-0 0. Totals 19-60 13-25 53. St. Olaf...................... 29 23 - 52 Carleton...................... 24 29 - 53 3-point goals-St. Olaf 3-9 (Christina Sampson 1-2; Molly Simon 1-4; Chr. Schwichtenberg 1-2; Holly Grimsrud 0-1), Carleton 2-15 (Megan Vig 1-3; Kate Krueger 1-3; Kari Christianson 0-3; Andrea Korb 0-2; Katie Freeman 0-1; Taylor Ross 0-2; Cassie Hammond 0-1). Fouled out--St. Olaf-Molly Simon, Carleton-None. Rebounds-St. Olaf 40 (Christina Sampson 9), Carleton 42 (Megan Vig 11). Assists-St. Olaf 6 (Molly Simon 3), Carleton 11 (Kristi Colbenson 4). Total fouls-St. Olaf 18, Carleton 13. A-950