Notables

ST. PAUL – Senior forward Renee Willette had 15 points, seven rebounds and four steals and third-seeded Carleton built a 19-point first-half lead and held on for a 71-62 victory at second-seeded St. Thomas in an MIAC women's semifinal game Wednesday night in Schoenecker Arena.

The Knights (22-5) advance to Saturday's championship game vs. St. Ben's (23-3), a 60-58 overtime winner over Gustavus.

Missy Pederson scored a career-high 36 points and had four steals for the Tommies (21-5), including five 3-point baskets. Alissa Case had 10 points and five rebounds for UST.

Carleton avenged a 77-64 loss to St. Thomas on the same floor seven days earlier. Willette had seven points during a 15-1 run that built a 36-17 lead, and they led 40-24 at halftime. The Tommies pulled within 62-55 with 4:16 to play but never got closer.

Carleton shot 60% from the field in the first half and finished 51% on the night (29-of-57). They outrebounded the Tommies 40-31.

For the Knights, Bethany Koehler had 15 points and four assists; Karissa Kramer added 10 points; Karen Fricke had 10 points on 5-of-6 shooting; and Linnea Engel had nine points and four assists.

Tommie freshmen Kristi Huegel and Vel Williams combined for 36 points in last week's win over Carleton but were held to a combined nine points.

The Tommies' streak of consecutive NCAA playoff appearances, now at 15, is
now in jeopardy. The NCAA Division III field will be announced Sunday night, and will be posted here as soon as available, shortly after 9:30 EST (men shortly after 9:00). Full men's and women's conference tournament results.