ST. PETER, Minn. – The College of Saint Benedict basketball team picked up a big MIAC win on the road against a team that doesn't lose very often at home Wednesday night.
 
CSB shot nearly 50 percent from the field and didn't allow Gustavus to make a comeback after taking an early lead en route to a 63-56 win over the Gusties in St. Peter. The loss marked just the second home loss of the season for Gustavus, which headed into Wednedsay's game at 6-1 on Gus Young Court and 4-2 in the MIAC. The win pushed Saint Benedict's overall record to 7-7, and its MIAC record to 3-4.
 
Wednesday's win was CSB's second against Gustavus this season. This is the first time since the 2010-11 season that Saint Benedict has swept the Gusties.
 
Megan Thompson hit a three and a jumper early as part of CSB's 9-0 run to start Wednesday's game. From that point the Gusties (7-7, 4-3) outscored CSB 10-4 to end the first quarter, but CSB still maintained a 13-10 lead. Gustavus cut that lead to one to start the second, but Maddie Schmtiz hit a pair of free throws, then Johnson scored twice and Breanna Gates scored to make it a nine-point game midway through the quarter. The Gusties kept clawing their way back in, but Bailey Becker converted a three-point play and Schmitz scored to put CSB up 30-19 at halftime.
 
The Gusties went on a quick run after halftime to cut CSB's lead to single digits, but Thompson hit a three and Schmitz added a three a few minutes later to push the lead back to 14, 40-26. A three and a pair of free throws from McKenzie Holgate made it an 18-point game with 1:31 left in the third, and Saint Benedict led 49-35 heading into the final quarter.
 
Thompson hit a three to start the scoring for CSB in the fourth, and Shae Olsen hit another three later in the quarter to help keep the Gusties at bay. Gustavus outscored CSB 11-2 in the final two minutes of play, but Saint Benedict was able to hold on for the win.
 
Thompson finished with 15 points to lead CSB and Schmitz added 13. Alex Johnson finished the game with seven points and a career-high 15 rebounds to pace Saint Benedict, which had 33 rebounds. Gates had six assists for CSB, which shot 49 percent from the field and hit six 3-pointers. CSB went 7-for-14 from the line and had 21 turnovers.
 
Justine Lee led all scorers with 16 points for Gustavus, which shot just under 35 percent from the field. The Gusties went 9-for-12 from the line and had 31 rebounds and 16 turnovers.
 
CSB takes its two-game winning streak back to Claire Lynch Saturday, Jan. 12, when it hosts St. Olaf at 1 p.m. Special guests for Saturday's game will be the 1998-99 national runner-up team, which is celebrating its 20^th anniversary of the best national team finish in school history this year.