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ST. JOSEPH, Minn. – Wednesday was a big day for the College of Saint Benedict basketball team - and the whole athletic department.
 
On a record-setting Athletics Give Day, the Bennies beat St. Thomas for the first time since 2013 - in what may be the last game between the two teams - to give coach Mike Durbin his 700th career win. CSB looks to use that momentum as it hits the road for another tough MIAC contest, this one against Bethel.
 
Tipoff between the Bennies and Royals is scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 27, in Arden Hills. Per MIAC policy no fans are allowed, but live stats and video are available here.
 
ABOUT THE ROYALS
The Royals pushed the record to .500 Wednesday night with a win over Augsburg. Bethel has close losses to both UST and Concordia and wins against Saint Mary's and the Auggies. Kat Brown-Erdal is fourth in the MIAC in scoring and Elizabeth Schwarz is fourth in rebounds per game, and she also averages 15 points per game.
 
LAST MEETING
A ranked Royals squad swept the 2019-20 meetings between the two teams, winning 69-53 on Jan. 18 in St. Joseph and again 79-53 on Feb. 22 in Arden Hills in CSB's last game of the season. Maddie Schmitz scored 10 points and pulled down seven rebounds in the January game, and she led the Bennies with 21 points and eight rebounds in the February matchup.
 
THE STORYLINE
After a tough outing Sunday at Gustavus, the Bennies came out strong Wednesday against the Tommies. CSB used energy from Give Day and Durbin being on the edge of a milestone to fuel the team to a win over a longtime rival team. The Bennies look to harness that energy and momentum again Saturday to pick up another big MIAC win - this one on the road.
 
WHO TO WATCH
The Bennie offense has been balanced all season, and that came out again Wednesday. Carla Meyer led five players in double figures with 16 points. Madison Doran, Kate Seyer and Tori Szathmary also scored in double digits, and Maddie Schmitz had a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds.