WINONA, MINN. – Led by 19 points from Carla Meyer and 16 from Gabby Martin, the College of Saint Benedict (9-2, 6-2 MIAC) earned its seventh win in eight games to move into a tie for first place in the MIAC with a 65-58 road win over Saint Mary (3-8, 2-6 MIAC) on Saturday (Jan. 7).

With the victory, CSB improved to 9-2 overall with a 6-2 record in the MIAC. As a result, the Bennies moved into a three-way tie for first in the MIAC with Gustavus Hamline and Bethel.

"It was a nice road win for us," said CSB Head Coach Mike Durbin, who earned his 725^th career win. "Carla (Meyer) and Gabby (Martin) both had nice games with important baskets and free throws late. We knew it would be a tough road game and I was proud of the team for their hard work and resilience when the game grew close," added Durbin. "We had impressive poise in the fourth quarter, which made the difference. Gabby did a great job of attacking the rim and making her free throws," he said.

CSB had eight points from Meyer in the opening quarter to take a 20-10 lead and with a 16-to-11 edge in the second quarter built a 36-21 halftime lead. But the Cardinals rebounded in the third quarter by outscoring the Bennies, 24-to-11 to cut the lead to 47-45. After Saint Mary's tied it early in the fourth quarter, CSB had a 6-0 run to rebuild a six-point lead and finished with a seven-point win (65-58).

By the Numbers
The Bennies, which improved to 5-1 in road games, hit 14-of-17 free throws for 82.4 percent. Of that total, Martin was 9-of-11 from the charity stripe. Martin had a season-high while recording her 19^th career double-digit scoring game. The nine made free throws by the senior was a career best as was her 11 attempts.

Meyer surpassed 600 career points with her 19 as she now has 608 points in her career. With a three-point shot in the second quarter, Meyer reached the milestone and did it on her 88^th career three-pointer. She was 8-of-12 from the field while grabbing three rebounds, dishing three assists and recording three steals. She now has double-digits in nine of the last 10 games and 37 times in her career.

Sophomore guard Sophia Jonas added 11 points and hit three three-pointers for the 18^th time in her career. Jonas now has 18 career double-digit scoring games. Also, for the Bennies. Lydia Hay hit 3-of-6 field goals and had eight points along with five rebounds. Senior guard Hannah Johnson added five points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals.

CSB utilized its outstanding perimeter defense to create a 21-to-6 points off turnovers edge. They forced the Cardinals into 21 turnovers and committed just 11. The Bennies had 10 steals, including eight in the first half, while also dishing nine assists.

Overall, Saint Ben's made 23-of-58 field goals for 39.7 percent and had five triples to go with the 14 foul shots. The Cardinals, which had a 30-to-22 edge in points in the paint and 16-to-3 margin in second chance points, held a 39-to-29 rebound edge. Saint Mary's had 14 points and six rebounds from Katelyn Cruze and 13 points and seven boards from Izzy Goettleman. The Cardinals made 21-of-51 field goals for 41.2 percent along with five triples and 11 free throws (16 attempts).

Game Breakdown -

1^st Quarter – Meyer scores eight to lead CSB to 20-10 lead
In the opening quarter, Meyer scored eight points and Martin added five to lead CSB to a 20-10 lead. The Bennies hit 8-of-17 field goals for 47.1 percent and forced seven turnovers to account for the advantage. In the opening 3:02 of the first quarter, Meyer had six points to lead CSB to a 9-2 lead. She also had a steal that led to a three by Jonas. A 10-0 run by the Bennies was stopped by a pair of foul shots from Brooklyn Paulsen (4:56). In the final 2:51, Olivia Boily had a pair of baskets, including an offensive rebound and put back with just one second to play to give CSB the 10-point margin (20-10) at the break.

2^nd Quarter – Defense and sharing basketball led to 36-21 CSB lead
With solid defense and sharing the basketball, CSB closed the second quarter on a 16-6 run to take a 36-21 lead at halftime. CSB made 6-of-17 field goals for 35.3 percent in the quarter, including 3-of-9 on three-point plays.  CSB applied perimeter pressure to create a season-high eight first-half steals to go with seven assists. Meyer had 11 points to lead CSB, which was 14-of-34 for 41.2 percent in the half. The Bennies, which hit four threes, had eight points from Martin and six from Jonas, who hit a pair of triples. The Cardinals made just 8-of-22 field goals for 36.4 percent and were limited to 1-of-3 on three-pointers. In the opening minute of the quarter, the Cardinals pulled within 20-15 at 9:10 after two foul shots from Cruze. With a three-pointer from Meyer and a lay-up by Hay at 6:02, the Bennies regained a 10-point lead (25-15). After the Cardinals again closed to within six (27-21), CSB had a closing run of 9-0, keyed by a three from Martin to take the 36-21 lead at the break.   

3^rd quarter – Cardinals outscore Bennies, 24-11, to draw close
Out of the break, the Cardinals opened the quarter on a 17-5 run by hitting 6-of-13 field goals including 3-of-5 from three-point range, to draw within three points at 3:14 (41-38). CSB ended a four-minute scoring drought as Hay's lay-up gave Saint Ben's a 43-38 lead (2:51). However, the Cardinals answered with a basket and a foul shot to draw within 45-41. With five seconds left, Cruze scored inside to draw the SMU within, 47-45. CSB was hurt in the quarter by hitting just 4-of-12 field goals for 33.3 percent, including all six of their three-point shots.

4^th Quarter – Martin's drives and free throws lift CSB to win
After SMU tied the game at 47 at the 8:28 mark, CSB closed the game on an 18-11 run to pick up their sixth league win and 57^th victory in the 75^th meeting between the schools. After the game was tied, Jonas ended a nearly three-minute drought in the fourth quarter by making a jumper for a 49-47 lead at the 7:26 mark. Then, Martin and Johnson hit jumpers for a 53-47 lead as CSB used a 6-0 run for the lead CSB, which was 5-of-12 for 41.7 percent in the fourth quarter, had to hold off the Cardinals, which drew within, 55-52 at the 3:40 mark when Graysin Hartjes (seven points) converted 1-of-2 free throws. Martin knocked down two of CSB's seven foul shots (eight attempts) in the quarter for a 57-52 lead. When Jonas hit her third three of the game for a 60-52 lead with under two minutes to play, the Bennies appeared to be in control. A free throw and three pointers from Brooklyn Paulson, who scored nine points, cut the lead to 62-58 with 55 seconds left. However, Meyer hit a pair of foul shots for a 64-58 lead with 31 seconds left as the Bennies finished off a key road win.