MOORHEAD, Minn. – Carla Meyer scored a season-high 22 points, but the College of Saint Benedict basketball team (5-2, 3-1 MIAC) dropped a 77-61 road decision to Concordia-Moorhead (6-2, 5-0 MIAC) in MIAC play on Wednesday (Dec. 6).

With the setback, CSB, which hosts Macalester on Saturday (Dec. 9) at 1 p.m., at Claire Lynch Hall, is 5-2 overall and tied for third at 3-1 in the MIAC with Hamline.

In the opening quarter, the teams traded baskets before the Cobbers scored a late basket for a 17-16 lead. After the teams were tied at 35, Concordia scored four straight points in the final minute of the second quarter to take a 39-35 advantage at halftime. The Cobbers broke open the game in the third quarter with a 26-12 advantage for a 65-47 lead. While CSB outscored Concordia, 14-12, in the fourth quarter, it was not enough as the Bennies fell in MIAC play for the first time.

Meyer, who had a career-high five three-pointers in seven attempts, reached 20 points for the seventh time in her career. She made 8-of-10 field goals and also had four rebounds and two assists in 37 minutes on the floor. She had her 56^th career double-digit scoring game. With 22 points, she now has 953 career points, and moved into 22^nd place all-time at CSB and past Darby Noreen (937, 2003-07). With her five triples, she is now eighth all-time at CSB with 128 three-pointers.

Joining Meyer in double-digits was sophomore guard Megan Morgan with 11 points, two steals and a block while senior forward Lydia Hay had 10 points, a rebound and a blocked shot. Morgan, who had her fourth career double-digit scoring game, hit 4-of-6 field goals. Hay now has 13 double-digit scoring games. CSB also had nine points from junior guard Sophia Jonas, who had three triples in a game for the sixth time in seven games and the 31^st time in her career. Jonas also had three of CSB's 14 assists.

Turnovers hurt the Bennies, which committed 13 to just five for Concordia. The Cobbers had a 13-to-0 edge in points off turnovers. In addition, Concordia had a 29-to-22 rebound advantage which led to a 9-to-4 edge in second chance points. While CSB had an 11-to-7 margin in made three-pointers, the Cobbers outscored the Bennies, 36-to-12, in the paint.

First Quarter – Bennies knock in 4-of-7 from 3 to stay close
In the opening quarter, the teams traded points throughout the quarter. CSB was 5-of-11 for 45.4 percent, including 4-of-7 from three points range and 2-of-2 at the foul line, to stay close at 17-16 at the break. Concordia, which had an 11-to-7 rebound edge, including 5-0 in offensive boards, took a one-point lead at the quarter breaker after Greta Tollefson's lay-up with 42 seconds left in the quarter. Earlier, the Cobbers led 10-5 (6:28) after a pair of triples. Morgan's three gave CSB a 16-13 lead (1:53) but the Cobbers, which hit 7-of-19 field for 36.8 percent, scored the final two baskets of the quarter for the lead.  

2^nd Quarter – Meyer finishes the first half with 13 points
In the second quarter, Genevieve Gruba had a pair of late baskets to break a 35-35 tie and give Concordia the halftime lead at 39-35. At halftime, CSB had hit 11-of-20 field goals for 55 percent and 7-of-12 from three-point range for 58.3 percent. The Cobbers, which hit 16-of-33 field goals for 48.6 percent, had a 16-to-11 rebounds edge and committed just one turnover to seven for the Bennies. Down 27-24, CSB used an 8-2 run, including a three from Meyer, who had 13 points at the break, for a 32-29 lead.  But then, Concordia closed the half on a 10-3 run for the four-point lead.

3^rd Quarter Summary – CSB shoots just 31 percent as Cobbers take control
Concordia opened the second half on a 9-0 run, including a pair of triples, to take a 48-35 lead (9:01) over CSB. From that quick second half start, the Cobbers were able to take a 26-12 quarter edge and move to a 65-47 lead at the break. CSB was hurt by shooting, making just 4-of-13 field goals for 30.8 percent and 2-of-7 from three-point range for 28.6 percent. Concordia made 10-of-15 field goals, including 3-of-4 from three-point range, as they opened up a double-digit lead. After Concordia opened quickly, Morgan and Lydia Hay had back-to-back lay-ups to cut the lead to 48-39.  A three from Concordia provided a 51-39 lead before Morgan's lay-up "and one" cut the lead to nine (51-42, 6:35). The team's traded threes with Meyer's fourth of the game cutting the lead to 54-45 at 5:37 mark. Then Concordia had a 11-2 closing run for the 18-point advantage.

4^th Quarter Summary – CSB records 14-12 advantage
With threes from Hay and Meyer, CSB opened the quarter with a 14-9 run to cut the deficit to 74-61 with 2:25 to play in the game. However, it was not enough as the Bennies could not get the lead under 10 points. The Bennies hit 6-of-13 field goals for 46.2 percent and 2-of-4 from three-point range. Hey and Meyer led CSB with five points in the quarter.