HILO, HAWAII – Led by 20 points from Carla Meyer, the College of Saint Benedict (8-1) captured a sixth consecutive win and finished 2-0 at the Big Island Classic with a 69-58 decision over DePauw (5-5) in nonconference play on Monday night (Dec. 19).

At the Big Island Classic, CSB won both games by double-digit margins after a 64-44 win over Worcester State on Sunday and the 69-58 victory over DePauw on Monday. With the victory, Saint Ben's moved to 8-1 on the season. The Bennies will be on holiday break until Wednesday, Jan. 4 when they re-open MIAC play at St. Catherine in St. Paul, Minn.

With a sizzling shooting performance in the first half, CSB, which had four players record double-digit points games, opened a 42-28 lead as the Bennies hit 10-of-17 shots for 58.8 percent in the second quarter. Then, the Bennies outscored DePauw, 14-12 in the third quarter for a 56-40 lead and held off the Tigers in the fourth quarter. As a result, the Bennies finished nonconference play, 3-0. 

"I am so proud of our team's growth since October 15 when we opened practice," said CSB Head Coach Mike Durbin, who earned his 724^th career win. "We played exceptional on this trip to Hawaii. Tonight, Carla (Meyer) and Olivia (Boily) stepped up and made some important baskets for us. This was a nice win," added Durbin, whose team matched the six-game winning streak at the start of the 2021-22 season.

By the Numbers
Meyer had her second career 20-point game with her seventh double-digit game of the season. Meyer, who now has 35 double-digit games in her career, averaged 17 points, 4.5 assists and 5.0 rebounds in the two games in the Hawaii.  Against DePauw, she hit 7-of-20 field goals while grabbing seven rebounds, dishing three assists and registering a steal.

Three others – Olivia Boily, Gabby Martin and Lydia Hay -- all had 10 points. Boily had her fourth double-digit game this season as she was 5-of-9 from the field with three rebounds and two blocks. For the seventh time in her career, Hay reached double-digits with 10 points, hitting 4-of-7 field goals while grabbing two rebounds. Martin had her 18^th career double-digit game with 10 points as she hit 3-of-5 field goals, including 2-of-4 from three-point range. Also for CSB, Hannah Johnson had eight points and eight rebounds while first-year Megan Morgan had six rebounds, two points and two assists.

CSB, which trailed just once (4-3), controlled the game from the start. The numbers reflected that as the Bennies, which led by as many as 19 points (59-40, 9:49, fourth quarter), had a 41-40 rebound edge and forced 13 turnovers, which resulted in a 19-to-6 margin over the Tigers. In addition, the Bennies won the battle in the paint, 30-to-24, had an 8-to-4 margin in fastbreak points and a 12-to-6 edge in second chance points.

Saint Ben's defense was key to the two wins in Hawaii, allowing just 102 total points, including 58 tonight. CSB held DePauw to just 32 percent from the field on 19-of-59 shooting. The Tigers hit just 3-of-14 from three-point range for 21.4 percent. Meanwhile, CSB was 26-of-64 from the field for 40.6 percent and 5-of-20 from three-point range while making 12-of-17 free throws for 70 percent.

Game Breakdown

First Quarter – Jonas, Szathmary, and Boily lead Bennies to 20-16 lead
With balanced scoring, led by Sophia Jonas with five, the Bennies opened a 20-16 lead at the quarter break. CSB hit 7-of-16 shots from the field for 43.8 percent and held DePauw to 25 percent shooting on 4-of-16 shooting. Senior Tori Szathmary opened the scoring as the Bennies took a quick 2-0 lead in the opening minute. With 5:20 to play, Jonas knocked in a triple for a 10-6 lead. After the teams were tied at 12, Boily started an 8-4 run by recording a basket in the paint for a 14-12 advantage (2:26). Then, Johnson had four points, including a pair of foul shots and a lay-up, for an 18-14 margin. Boily added her second basket of the quarter with five seconds to play on a basket at the rim with five seconds to play.  
 
Second Quarter – Meyer leads CSB to a 42-28 halftime lead
Led by Meyer's seven points, CSB had a 22-to-12 advantage in the second quarter to extend their lead to 42-28 at the break. The Bennies hit 10-of-17 shots in the quarter for 58.8 percent and made 17-of-33 for 51.5 percent in the opening half as they rolled to a double-digit lead. CSB, which was just 2-of-11 from three-point range, made 15-of-22 shots inside the arc for 68.2 percent in the half. After the Tigers scored two straight baskets out of the break, the Bennies responded. Consecutive baskets from Meyer (8:06) provided CSB with a 26-20 lead at the 7:47 mark. Then, Hay had five points, including a three from the right corner and another jumper from the right side of the lane, for a 31-20 advantage (6:45). After two straight baskets by DePauw, Meyer hit another jumper for a 33-24 lead (4:49). Then, Boily had a pair of baskets and a three-point play from Meyer gave CSB a 42-28 lead at halftime.

3rd Quarter – Martin leads late surge for 56-40 lead
With baskets from Hay and Martin, CSB opened a 46-28 lead with nine minutes to play in the third quarter.  DePauw ended CSB's run with a basket and then two foul shots from Moira McGinley with 6:47 to play to cut the lead to 46-32. CSB immediately responded on a triple from Martin (5:55) to lead, 49-32. After being fouled on the drive to the basket, Meyer's two foul shots gave CSB with a 52-35 lead at the 2:04 mark. Martin closed the quarter by converting an offensive rebound into a basket followed by a steal and, after being fouled, made 1-of-2 free throws for a 56-38 advantage with 36 seconds to play.

Fourth Quarter – Boily, Morgan and Johnson record key baskets down the stretch
While the Tigers outscored the Bennies, 18-13, in the fourth quarter, CSB answered every DePauw charge with a crucial basket. Early in the period, Meyer knocked down a three for a 59-40 advantage – the biggest lead of the game - at the nine-minute mark.  With an 8-1 run, including a steal and lay-up from Ava Hassel (14 points), DePauw cut CSB margin to 60-48. Meyer's jumper at 5:57 stopped the run for a 62-48 lead. Then, Hassel hit a three as DePauw drew within, 62-51. Boily answered the surge by the Tigers with a key basket inside for a 64-51 advantage (4:41). Shortly thereafter, Johnson and Morgan supplied baskets as the Bennies extended the margin to 68-53 on its way to an eighth win this season.