ST. JOSEPH, Minn. – The trio of Carla Meyer, Gabby Martin and Sophia Jonas all scored 15 points to lead the College of Saint Benedict Basketball Team (5-1, 4-1 MIAC) to its third straight win in a 67-52 MIAC win over Macalester (2-6, 1-4 MIAC) on Wednesday night at Claire Lynch Hall.

The Bennies moved to 4-1 in league play and sit in a four-way tie for second place with Gustavus Adolphus, St. Catherine and Bethel. Saint Ben's will travel to league leader Hamline (6-0, 4-0 MIAC) on Saturday, Dec. 10 for a 3 p.m. contest.

CSB, which is 5-1 overall, registered its second straight home league win. CSB, which was averaging 65.2 points per game, bettered that mark with outstanding work inside and on the perimeter, noted CSB Head Coach Mike Durbin, who earned his 721^st win.

"I was pleased with our energy and work ethic all night from everyone," said Durbin. "We had strong play inside and our guards and wings continued to produce big plays. We put together another solid effort," he said.

Early on, the game was close as the Bennies led, 13-11, at the first quarter break. With an 18-10 margin in the second quarter, CSB took a 31-21 lead to halftime. The Scots outscored CSB, 17-16, in the third quarter to stay within 47-38 at the third quarter break before the Bennies had a 20-14 margin to record a third straight double-digit win.

In the series, CSB now owns a 64-7 lead and has won three straight over the Scotts. At home, CSB owns a 35-1 record against Macalester.

Inside the Numbers

A senior from Pillager, Minn., Martin had a season-best 15 points as he nears 300 points for her career (296). She hit 5-of-10 shots from the field, including a three-pointer, while connecting on 4-of-5 free throws. Martin had three assists and two steals in her best game of the season.

Junior guard Carla Meyer also totaled 15 points while tying a career-high with nine rebounds and dishing three assists while registering a steal. Meyer was 7-of-14 from the field, including 1-of-4 from three point range. Meyer had her 33^rd double-digit points game and fifth straight this year. In the past three games, she has made 16-of-31 field goals for 51 percent.

Sophomore guard Sophia Jonas had her fifth double-digit points game of the season and 14^th of her career as she had 15 points, and two steals. The reigning MIAC Offensive Player of the Week honoree hit 6-of-9 field goals and was 3-of-4 from three-point range. She has hit three or more three pointers in five of the six games. Jonas also has made 13 of her past 22 shots from three-point range for 59 percent in the past three games.

For the second straight game, first-year guard Megan Morgan registered a career-best in points as she had eight against Macalester. She was 3-of-4 from the field while grabbing two rebounds and dishing an assist.

Overall, the Bennies had a solid offensive night, especially inside the three-point line, hitting 22-of-43 shots for 51 percent. It led to a 38-36 margin of points in the paint and a 16-14 advantage in second chance points. In total, CSB was 27-of-60 for 45 percent and 5-of-17 from three-point range for 29.4 percent. The Bennies made 8-of-10 from the foul line. On the boards, Saint Ben's had a 36-to-32 margin as they outrebounded their opponent for a third straight game and the fourth time this season.

Macalester, which was led by Peyton Starks with 20 points, hit 22-of-53 field goals for 41.5 percent but just 1-of-12 from three-point range for 8.3 percent as the Bennies perimeter defense left few open looks.

First Quarter – Martin's three-pointer gives CSB, 13-11 lead
In a back-and-forth quarter, the Bennies took a 13-11 lead despite shooting just 29.4 percent from the floor.  After Solana Cushing (11 points) hit a three to open the game, CSB rebounded with a 10-4 run to grab a 10-7 lead after a jumper by Jonas at the 3:56 mark. Martin's three-pointer with 1:54 to play in the quarter helped CSB to a 13-11 advantage which they took to the break.

2^nd Quarter – Meyer & Morgan lead CSB to halftime lead
In the second quarter, CSB outpointed Macalester, 18-10, to build a 31-21 lead on the play of Meyer and Morgan, who both had six points in the quarter. CSB, which hit 8-of-15 shots for 53.3 percent, took a 25-17 lead as the two guards had their six points each during a five-minute period (8:38 to 3:08). Later, Abigail Kuboushek had a lay-up which was followed by one from senior Hannah Johnson for the 31-21 lead.

3^rd Quarter – Seven points from Jonas gives Bennies, 47-38 lead
In the third quarter, Macalester outscored Saint Ben's, 17-16, to cut the double-digit lead to nine points at 47-38. Fact is, the Scots outscored the Bennies, 9-3, in the opening four minutes to draw within 34-30 at the 6:00 mark. Then, CSB answered as Martin and Jonas hit jumpers for a 38-30 lead. Jonas, who scored a team-high seven points in the quarter, had a lay-up at 3:29 for a 44-34 advantage. Later after Macalester cut the lead to 44-38, Meyer's triple gave the Bennies a 47-38 margin which they took to break.

4^th quarter – CSB hits 60 percent from field to pull away
In the fourth quarter, CSB hit 9-of-15 shots for 60 percent as they outscored the Scots, 20-14, to push their lead to 15. In the quarter, the Bennies built a 16-point lead with 3:34 left on a three from Jonas, her third of the game. While Saint Ben's was knocking in shots, Macalester hit just 6-of-17 shots in the quarter for 35.3 percent as they couldn't draw any closer than nine points, 50-41 (7:06).