ST. JOSEPH, Minn. – Despite double-digit point totals from Gabby Martin, Carla Meyer and Sophia Jonas, the College of Saint Benedict (9-3, 6-3 MIAC) dropped a 72-61 decision to Concordia-Moorhead (9-3, 6-3 MIAC) in MIAC play at Claire Lynch Hall on Wednesday (Jan. 11).

With the loss, CSB is now 9-3 overall and 6-3 in league play which is the same record for Concordia.

The difference in the game tonight was a 19-to-11 free throw edge by the Cobbers, as they made 15 in a row in the final quarter. After Concordia took an 18-15 lead at the first quarter break, CSB outscored them, 8-5, to force a 23-23 tie at halftime. Both teams scored 20 points in the third quarter which ended in a 43-43 tie. In the fourth quarter, the Cobbers opened on a 15-4 run to take a 58-47 lead at the 3:13 mark and finished off a 29-18 quarter for the 72-61 win.

With the setback, CSB's overall series edge dropped to 47-39 in the 86^th meeting between the schools.

By the Numbers
Meyer, who was named the CSB Athletics Athlete of the Week on Monday, continued her solid play with 15 points, eight rebounds, four assists and a steal. She now has scored in double digits 38 times in her career and in 31 of the last 35 games, including 10 times in 2022-23. With a pair of triples, she now has 90 in her career.

Martin recorded her fourth double-digit scoring game this season and her 20^th of her career after finishing with 12 points, five rebounds, two assists and a steal.

Jonas had her 10^th double-digit total of the season and 19^th of her career after recording 13 points with two rebounds.

Lydia Hay led CSB with eight rebounds while scoring five points and adding a blocked shot and an assist. Senior Hannah Johnson had eight points and five rebounds.

One of the key differences in this game was in shooting percentage as the Cobbers hit 24-of-64 for 37.5 percent. They also shared the ball effectively with 14 assists on 24 made baskets. The Bennies hit 22-of-71 field goals for 31 percent and had a 6-to-5 edge in three-pointers but lost the rebound battle, 48-42. At the foul line, CSB was 11-of-17 for 64.7 percent however the visitors made 19-of-21 for 90.5 percent.

CSB, which is now 2-2 at home, was outscored in the paint, 28-to-24, and off the bench by a 22-to-8 mark.

First Quarter – Cobbers use a late 10-1 run to grab lead
CSB and Concordia played a close opening quarter with both teams holding leads. The Bennies had its biggest lead of the game at 14-8 with 3:32 to play after a jumper from Meyer. But the Cobbers answered with a three-point shot from Autumn Thompson (six points on the night), which keyed a closing run of 10-1 for the 18-15 lead. In the quarter, CSB was 6-of-20 from the field for 30 percent and made 2-of-5 triples for 40 percent. Concordia held a 13-to-10, edge on the boards and made 41.2 percent of their shots from the field (7-of-17), including 3-of-5 from three-point range.

2^nd Quarter – CSB has an 8-5 edge to tie the game at break
In the lowest scoring quarter of the game (13 points), CSB used an 8-5 edge to create a 23-23 tie at halftime. Both teams combined for four total field goals and two three-pointers with CSB's 3-0 edge at the foul line helping them pull into a tie at the break. Johnson had four points and Martin, three, to account for CSB's scoring. After falling behind, 20-15, the Bennies, keyed by Johnson, had an 8-to-3 run for a 23-20 edge at the 5:34 mark. However, the Cobbers hit a three at the 5:14 mark and then both team's defenses stepped up and didn't allow a point.

3^rd Quarter – Six players score for Bennies in 20-point quarter
While the defenses prevailed in the opening half, the offenses caught fire in the third quarter. Both teams scored 20 points and shot over 40 percent. CSB was 9-of-19 for 47.4 percent while Concordia made 8-of-19 for 42.1 percent. Both teams made one triple. Jonas had five points while Johnson and Meyer added four to lead the way for the Bennies. After the Cobbers took a 30-25 lead at the 8:32 mark on a field goal from Makayla Anderson (14 points and 10 rebounds), the Bennies had a 6-2 run as Meyer's basket at 5:49 drew CSB within, 32-31. The lead changed in CSB's favor at the 3:09 mark on a three by Hay and a fastbreak basket by Meyer.  Another basket by Johnson gave the Bennies a 43-40 lead before the Cobbers closed with a trio of free throw to tie the score at the break (43-43).

4^th Quarter – Cobbers outscored Bennies, 29-18 to earn win
In the final quarter, the Cobbers used a 15-to-6 edge in made free throws to gain the edge. Concordia opened on a 15-4 run to build a 58-47 advantage and held off the Bennies. CSB hit just 5-of-16 field goals in the quarter for 31.3 percent while the Cobbers made 7-of-13 for 53.8 percent. Meyer led the way for CSB with eight points while Emily Beseman had 12 points, including 10-of-10 at the foul line for Concordia. After Meyer's three with 2:27 left, CSB trailed, 58-50, but couldn't draw closer as the Cobbers made their free throws down the stretch.