In a fast-paced game, UW-Stout fell to the College of St. Benedict, 69-64, in the season opener for both team Saturday at Johnson Fieldhouse.

In the first game for both programs since the NCAA switched the women's game to quarters over the previous half, the Blue Devils (0-1) trailed 19-18 after the first quarter, but took the halftime lead, 33-30. Stout held a 49-46 lead at the end of the third quarter, but St. Benedict (1-0) outscored Stout 23-15 in the final stanza.

The Blazers' Kate Bonovets hit a free throw at 9:37 in the first quarter to pull St.. Ben's to within two points. Moments later, Banovets tied the score at 49 apiece, then put St. Benedict up 51-59.

While the Blue Devil would tie the score several times throughout the next four minutes, they could never forge ahead as St. Ben's kept Stout at bay from the free throw line.

The Blazers had four players score in double digits, led by Annie Dittberner's game-high 14 points. Banovets finished with 11 points. Niki Fokken pulled down 11 rebounds and had 10 points. Chelsey Guetter also had 10 points.

Kyleigh Hebert (Sr, Spencer) led stout with 13 points and freshman Shannan Watkins (Hoover, Ala) added 10 points.

The Blazers hit 22-of-62 from the field (.355), 5-of-22 from the 3-point line (.227) and 20-of-33 from the charity stripe (.606). Stout connected on 26-of-78 from the field (.333), 3-of-20 from beyond the arc (.015) and 9-of-16 from the line (.563). St. Ben's held a 53-50 edge off the glass.

Stout will be at Gustavus Adolphus, Friday, Nov. 20, then will take on Simpson College, Saturday, Nov. 21 at Gustavus.