DULUTH, Minn. – Sophia Jonas tied a career-high with five three-pointers and four players scored in double-digits to lead the College of Saint Benedict basketball team (3-1, 2-1 MIAC) to a 77-50 road win over St. Scholastica (0-5, 0-3 MIAC) on Wednesday night in MIAC action.

In recording its third straight road win, the Bennies moved to 2-1 in league play and 3-1 overall. CSB, which scored a season-high 77 points, now have won 19-of-21 meetings with St. Scholastica, including the last 14 in a row.

St. Ben's, which hosts Augsburg at 3 p.m., on Saturday, Dec. 3 in Claire Lynch Hall, scored 20 points or more in three of four quarters for the first time this year. The Bennies took control of the game with a 14-2 run in the second quarter which pushed the lead to 40-24 at the break.  The Bennies hit a season-best 41.5 percent from the field by making 27-of-65 field goals. In the opening half, CSB was particularly effective by hitting 16-of-31 field goals for 51 percent.

"The second quarter was the key with the 20-7 run," said CSB Head Coach Mike Durbin, who picked up his 719^th career win. "It gave us a cushion we needed tonight," he said.

Jonas tied her career-best five three-pointers, including four in the opening half, as she led CSB with 17 points. She had her 12^th double-digit  points game and her 12^th career game with three or more three-pointers. Junior guard Carla Meyer added 11 points, a team-high six assists with three rebounds and two steals. She now has hit double-digits in 24 of her last 27 games and 32 in her career. In addition, Meyer surpassed 500 career points (502).

Junior Lydia Hay had 11 points with four field goals and a three-pointer with three rebounds. She had her sixth double-digit points game of her career. Sophomore Olivia Boily also had 11 points and five rebounds. She knocked down 5-of-10 field goals as she now has two double-digit games this season/career. Senior center Tori Szathmary supplied eight points and a team-high six rebounds. In addition, Megan Morgan recorded her first career field goal.

CSB controlled every statistical category in rolling to their third win. The Bennies outscored the Saints, 34-to-26 in the paint; 26-to-15 in points off turnovers, and 24-to-16 off the bench. CSB, which owned a 45-to-34 rebound edge.

"I really liked the play of Megan Driste and Megan Morgan. When we got in early foul trouble, they stepped in and provided important minutes," said Durbin, noting the team contributions across the roster.

GAME BREAKDOWN

1st Quarter – St. Ben's hit 57.1 percent to take 20-17 lead
In the opening quarter, CSB jumped to a 6-0 lead on a pair of baskets from Szathmary. However, St. Scholastica answered with eight straight points, including threes from Miranda Broberg (6:44) and Jackie Johnson (7:21) to take the lead. With a lay-up and two three pointers by Jonas (5:14), CSB retook the lead at 11-8. After another three from Jonas and a pair of baskets from Boily, including a lay-up off a Hannah Johnson assist with 23 seconds to go, CSB took a 20-17 lead after one quarter of play.  In the quarter, CSB was a game-best 8-of-14 for 57.1 percent and made a pair of threes while holding an 8-5 rebound edge. CSS was 7-of-14 from the field and hit 3-of-4 from three-point range.

Halftime -- Jonas's shooting lead CSB to 38-24 lead
Keyed by the shooting of Jonas, CSB opened up a double-digit lead with a 14-2 run in the opening 7:09 of the quarter and cruised to a 40-24 lead at the break. With Jonas's long-range artistry and 14 first-half points, CSB outscored the Saints, 20-7, for the double-digit lead.  After the Bennies had a 34-21 lead, St. Scholastica had a pair of free throws with 1:46 to play to end a 10-0 run on free throws by Liz Frase. After another free throw by the Saints, the Bennies closed the half with two baskets from Meyer and a lay-up from Boily. CSB hit 8-of-17 shots for 47.1 percent in the quarter. Overall in the half, CSB was 16-of-31 from the field for 51.6 percent. The Bennies had a 19-14 rebound advantage, including a 7-to-4 margin on offensive rebounds. St. Scholastica was 9-of-26 from the field for 34.6 percent and made 3-of-9 from three-point range.

3^rd Quarter – St. Ben's outscores Saints, 16-10 
With a 16-10 margin in the third quarter, CSB built a 56-34 advantage. In the opening five minutes, the Bennies used three free throws from Meyer to take a 47-30 lead at the 4:24 mark. A three from Jonas – her fifth of the game in six shots - gave CSB a 50-30 lead. Then, Gabby Martin hit a pair of free throws at the 1:17 mark and again with 53 seconds left.

4^th Quarter – 3 point plays from Hay and Kuboushek help build 29-point lead
After a lay-up by Martin, who finished with six points and four rebounds, CSB pushed its lead to 63-39 after opening with a 7-5 margin in the fourth quarter.  With a 10-5 run, including a three pointer from Lydia Hay and a three-point play by Abigail Kuboushek, the Bennies extended their lead to 73-44 with 3:31 to play. CSB, which hit 8-of-16 field goals, including a pair of triples, outscored the Saints, 21-16, in the quarter to finish off the impressive win.