ST. JOSEPH, Minn. – The College of Saint Benedict basketball team (3-1, 1-0 MIAC) has a busy week ahead with three games in five days, which begins on Saturday, Dec. 2, when the Bennies host Hamline (3-0, 2-0 MIAC) at 1 p.m., at Claire Lynch Hall.

After the match up with the Pipers, CSB will travel to Minneapolis to take on Augsburg (1-3, 0-2 MIAC) on Monday, Dec. 4 at Si Melby Gymnasium. CSB also faces Concordia-Moorhead in MIAC play on the road on Wednesday, Dec. 6 at 5:45 p.m. After those two road games, CSB will host Macalester at 1 p.m., on Dec. 9 and travel to Grinnell College on Dec. 10 for a 3 p.m., nonconference game.
 
CSB wins Tip-Off Tournament to open the season
This past weekend, CSB hosted Minnesota Morris, St. Olaf, and Northwestern (St. Paul) in the Tip-Off Tournament. The Bennies opened the year with a pair of nonconference wins by posting wins over Minnesota Morris, 70-54, and Northwestern (St. Paul), 79-70, and winning the Tip-off Tournament Championship. Junior guard, Sophia Jonas, was named Tournament MVP after averaging 23.5 points. She and senior guard, Carla Meyer, who averaged 15.5 points per game, were named to the CSB Tip-Off All-Tournament Team. Just before the Thanksgiving break, CSB dropped an 82-75 decision at UW-River Falls despite a career-high 26 points by Sophia Jonas, a junior guard who has earned a pair of MIAC Offensive Player of the Week honors already in 2023-24. Then, on Nov. 29, the Bennies recorded a 74-55 MIAC road win at Saint Mary's as Kira Young had a career-high in points with 17 and rebounds with seven. Carla Meyer added 17 points and a team-season-high eight assists in the victory. 
 
Inside the numbers
CSB ranks third in the MIAC in scoring and 13^th in NCAA DIII in made 3s
As a team, CSB is ranked third in the MIAC and 40^th in NCAA DIII by averaging 74.5 points per game with total of 74, 79, 75 and 55. The Bennies, which rank second in the MIAC and seventh in NCAA DIII with a 47.2 field goal percentage, have a 9.2 margin of victory for fourth in the MIAC. The Bennies rank second in the MIAC (36^th in DIII) in three-point field goal percentage at 35.2 percent (38-of-108) and with 9.5 threes per game is second in the MIAC and 13^th in DIII. Saint Benedict is second in the MIAC and 39^th in DIII in assists per game at 17.0. In assist-turnover ratio, CSB is first in the MIAC and in NCAA DIII at 1.66. 

Individual Numbers by conference/DIII
With 21.0 points per game, junior standout, Sophia Jonas, is ranked first in the MIAC and 28^th in NCAA DIII. Jonas, who is the DIII leader in assist/turnover ration at 11.00, is also 17^th in DIII and first in the MIAC with 19 triples on 43 attempts and her 4.75 triples per game is second in NCAA DIII. Senior Carla Meyer ranks second in the MIAC with 4.2 assists per game. Meyer also ranks eighth in the MIAC with 13.5 points per game.

Hamline Notes
Hamline is directed by head coach Joshua Hersch, who is currently in his first season with the Pipers. Hamline opened their season with a 78-36 win over Martin Luther College on Wednesday, Nov. 15. They also recorded a 71-47 win over Saint Mary's on Nov. 21 The Pipers also beat Bethel 76-65 to win the second MIAC game of the season.  Hamline is led by senior guard Michaela Stamer, who has totaled 13.7 points per game and 2.7 rebounds per game while senior forward Lydia Lechner added 16.7 points and 10.7 rebounds per game. As a team, the Pipers average 75.0 points, 38.7 rebounds, 14.0 assists, shot 42.3% from the field, and 34.4% from the arc.
  
Series Notes vs. Hamline
CSB and Hamline will meet for the 77^th time with the Bennies owning a 66-11 series edge. In the most recent match up on Feb. 4, 2023, CSB fell to Hamline, 77-58. In the last 10 match ups with the Pipers, CSB has a 3-7 mark. The Bennies sit 31-6 on the road against the Pipers. In the first-ever game between the schools, the Saint Benedict took an 80-33 decision on Jan. 12, 1982. 

Augsburg Notes
Augsburg, which is 1-3 overall and 0-2 in the MIAC, is directed by head coach Ted Riverso, who is currently in his ninth season with the Auggies. Augsburg opened their season with a 76-69 win over Bethany Lutheran College on Wednesday, Nov. 8. The Auggies fell to UW-River Falls, 67-48. They were then defeated by Bethel, 63-42 and St. Scholastica, 64-58. Augsburg is led by sophomore Wakinyela Bear, who has totaled 10.0 points per game and 4.3 rebounds per game, while senior forward Anja Smith added 10.0 points and 5.0 rebounds per game. As a team, the Auggies average 56.0 points, 36.3 rebounds, 9.0 assists, 37.9% from the field, and 33.3% from the three-point arc. 

Series Notes vs. Augsburg
CSB and Augsburg will meet for the 78^th time with the Bennies owning a 63-15 series advantage. In the most recent match up on Jan. 21, 2023, CSB defeated Augsburg, 67-63. In the last 10 match ups with the Auggies, CSB has a 4-6 mark. The Bennies sit 34-5 on the road against the Auggies. In the first-ever game between the schools, the Auggies took a 59-50 decision on Dec. 8, 1981. 

Player Notes - Jonas is averaging 21.0 points per game
CSB invite Tournament MVP Sophia Jonas of the College of Saint Benedict basketball team,  who is averaging 21.0 points per game for 28^th in the nation, has earned MIAC Basketball Player of the Week twice Nov. 13, Nov. 20. She is one of two players in CSB history (Laura Wendorff) to earn the MIAC weekly honor four times. She is the 33^rd Bennie to earn MIAC weekly honors. She has recorded 20 points in three consecutive games for the first time since Maddie Schmitz registered 22, 22, and 25 in three consecutive games from Feb. 3 through Feb. 10, 2021. Jonas now has 147 career threes and is just four away from fourth on CSB's all-time list at 151, which is held by Amy Stifter, who played in 109 games from 2007-11. Jonas, who has her 144 threes in just 55 games, is 23 back of Darby Noreen at 167 in 102 games from 2003-07; 36 behind Michelle Barlau at 180 in 105 games from 1999-03 and 42 from the all-time leader Ashley Brown, who had 186 in 107 games from 2000-04. Twenty-nine times, including all four games this year, she has made three or more triples in a game. With three 20-point games, Jonas now has six 20-point games in her career. Jonas, who has 36 career double-digit scoring games, has 642 career points, and 122 rebounds with 82 assists in her career. Jonas, who has mae 31-of-59 field goals for 52.5 percent (5th, MIAC) and 19-of-43 from three-point range for 44.2 percent (3rd, MIAC), has made six triples in a game three times in her career, including twice in 2023-24 (UW-River Falls, Minnesota Morris).
 
Senior guard Carla Meyer, who is averaging 13.5 points and 3.8 rebounds per game, has 53 double digit scoring games, including three in 2023-24. In her career Meyer has three career double-doubles. With four three-pointers this season, she now has 119 in her career, which is tied for ninth in school history. Meyer is six triples away from eighth place on CSB's career chart, which is held by Heidi Schwichtenberg (125, 83 games, 1995-97, 1998-99). Meyer has 909 career points with 314 rebounds and 72 free throws in her career. With that 909 points, she ranks 23rd all-time and is 47 points from 22nd, which is led by Darby Noreen (937, 102 games, 2003-07). Meyer ranks second all-time in assists per game at 3.53, sitting just back of Patty Meyer, 4.7, 1985-89. In terms of total assists, Meyer is 12th on the career chart at 226 and just 25 away from the top 10. In 11th place is Jennifer Nash, who had 249 from 1982-85 and in 10th place all-time at CSB is Sue Yorkovich with 251 from 1989-92. 
 
Kira Young, who is averaging 11.5 points and 2.4 rebounds per game, set a career high in points with 17 and seven rebounds against Saint Mary's. Three times this season and in her career, Young has recorded double-digit points. She has consecutive double-digit scoring games of 13 vs Northwestern and 10 against UW-River Falls and 17 against St. Mary's.  
 
Sophomore guard Megan Morgan is averaging 8.8 points per game while also totaling nine assists on the season. Morgan has two career double-digit point game with 14 on Feb.11, 2023 against Saint Mary's and has 10 points on Nov. 29, 2023, also against Saint Mary's. She has scored eight or more points nine times. Morgan has 149 career points, 34 assists and ten made threes in her career.
  
Senior forward, Lydia Hay is averaging 8.3 points and 3.9 rebounds per game. Hay has 11 double-digit scoring games with a high of 14 against Macalester on Dec. 11, 2021. She has double-digit rebound game against UW-Superior on Nov. 23, 2021. Hay has totaled 337 points and 211 rebounds in her career.
 
Megan Driste, a sophomore guard, who is averaging 5.3 points per game, set career-highs in each of her first two games of the 2023-24 season, scoring seven and eight points against Minnesota Morris and Northwestern (St. Paul), respectively. Driste is 8-of-16 from the field for 50.0 percent. She has made 5-of-10 triples for 50.0 percent. In her career, Driste has hit 6-of-18 from three-point range, scored 32 points and grabbed 16 rebounds.
  
Morgan Chmielewski, a junior forward, is averaging 6.3 points and 3.8 rebounds a game and has recorded a career high in back-to-back games with nine points. Chmielewski also hit a career high in rebounds with five against Saint Mary's on Nov. 29, 2023.  She is hitting a team-best 71.4 percent from the field by making 10-of-14 field goals. 

CSB Head Coach Mike Durbin has 737 career wins
Veteran head coach Mike Durbin begins his 38th season with the Bennies in 2023-24. Durbin became the 17th active coach at all levels of the NCAA to reach the 700-win milestone on Feb. 24, 2021. In 37 seasons, Durbin has coached 72 All-MIAC first team selections, 54 honorable mention athletes, 15 players named to the All-MIAC Defensive Team and 15 all-first year team picks. Durbin has a 737-274 (.728) overall coaching record and a 733-252 mark with Saint Benedict. He ranks 15th among all active coaches regardless of NCAA division and has the most wins by any active DIII coach. He ranks 36th all-time for most wins in a career, regardless of division. He is third all-time in wins in NCAA DIII. In addition to his outstanding overall coaching record at CSB, Durbin holds a 572-181 mark in conference play.  
 
Season Review

Sophia Jonas had a career-high 26 but CSB Basketball falls at UW-River Falls, 82-75
Sophia Jonas  had a career-high 26 points, including six three pointers, but the College of Saint Benedict basketball team (2-1) dropped an 82-75 road decision to UW-River Falls (2-1) in nonconference play. the Bennies battled back from an 11-point deficit to take the lead after three quarters at 62-61. Down 75-68 in the fourth quarter, Jonas keyed a 7-0 run with five straight points for a tie in the final minute. However, the Falcons closed the game on a 7-0 run to take the victory. Jonas was one of three Bennies in double digits as senior forward Lydia Hay  had season-highs with 13 points and nine rebounds along with an assist and a steal. Hay now has 11 double-digit scoring games in her career. Sophomore forward Kira Young  recorded her second double-digit game of the season by adding 10 points and six rebounds with three assists. Sophomore forward Morgan Chmielewski had a career-high nine points (six points, Gustavus Adolphus, 2/24/23) on 4-of-5 shooting, including 1-of-2 from three-point range. She also supplied three rebounds and a steal. Sophomore guard Megan Morgan added eight points.

Tournament MVP Sophia Jonas leads CSB Basketball to 79-70 win over Northwestern
Tournament MVP Sophia Jonas scored 22 points to lead a 79-70 come-from-behind win by the College of Saint Benedict basketball team (2-0) over Northwestern (1-1) in the final game of the CSB Tip-off Tournament, which concluded Nov. 11 at Claire Lynch Hall. Jonas hit 9-of-16 shots from the field, including 4-of-11 from three-point range for her 22 points. She also had two rebounds, three steals and an assist. In scoring 17 points, Carla Meyer hit 8-of-18 shots from the field, including knocking in her 118th career three-pointer which moves her ninth all-time at CSB. Kira Young had a career best scoring 13 points and recording six rebounds while supplying an assist, bloc, and steal against Northwestern. Megan Morgan on 4-of-7 shooting from the field. Morgan added three assists and three rebounds while registering a block. Also reaching a career-high was sophomore Megan Driste who was 3-of-5 from the field for eight points, while tying for a team-high with a career-best six rebounds. Driste hit both of her three-point field goals and had two steals.

CSB rolls past Minnesota Morris, 70-54, in opener
Sophia Jonas  scored 25 points and led three players in double digits as CSB successfully opened the season with a 70-54 win over Minnesota Morris on Friday, Nov. 10 as part of the CSB Tip-Off Tournament. CSB's 15th straight season-opening win came in the CSB Tip-Off Tourney which also includes teams from St. Olaf, Northwestern-St. Paul. The Bennies opened up a 23-16 lead and extended the margin to nine points at halftime at 43-34. With a 12-to-9 edge in the third quarter, CSB led, 55-43, and then outscored the Cougars, 10-to-6, in the fourth quarter to grab the 70-54 decision. Jonas had six triples in 15 attempts as she totaled 25 points while supplying a pair of assists and recording a steal. She was 9-of-18 from the field overall. Carla Meyer  also registered a team-high five rebounds with an assist in 33 minutes. She hit 6-of-13 shots and was 2-of-7 from three-point range.

Young and Meyer lead CSB Basketball to 74-55 win over Saint Mary's 
 Young reached double-digits for a third consecutive game but set a career-high with 17 points on 7-of-12 shooting from the field. Young, who also had a career-high with seven rebounds, also hit 2-of-4 from three-point range and 1-of-2 at the free throw line while adding three assists, a steal and a block. Meyer, who had her 53^rd career double-digit scoring game, scored 17 points to go with a team-season high eight assists and five rebounds along with three steals. Meyer hit 8-of-13 shots from the floor, and recorded a three-pointer, the 119^th of her career.  She also surpassed 900 points (909) in her career. The eight assists by Meyer were one away from her career-high (9, Augsburg, 3/3/2021) as CSB had 19 as a team, the second highest total of the year for the Bennies. For the fourth straight game, Sophia Jonas  reached double-digits with 11 points while she set a career-high with five assists and had three rebounds. Jonas hit 3-of-5 from three-point range and now has 147 for her career, just four away from tying Amy Stifter, who had 151 from 2007-11, on CSB's all-time three-point list. Playing in her hometown, sophomore guard Megan Morgan  added 10 points, three rebounds, an assist and a blocked shot. Junior forward Morgan Chmielewski  tied her career-high with nine points (UW-River Falls, 11/16/23) and set a career-high with five rebounds, including a career-best of three offensive boards as the Bennies  had 10 as a team and 37 total rebounds for the game. Overall, CSB hit 30-of-61 field goals for 49.2 percent, including 9-of-24 from three-point range for 37.5 percent. On the night, the Bennies outshot SMU which was 23-of-63 from the field for 36.5 percent and made 8-of-17 from three-point range for 47.1 percent.