ST. JOSEPH, Minn. – Led by a career high 14 points and eight rebounds by first-year guard Megan Morgan, the College of Saint Benedict Basketball Team (16-7, 13-7 MIAC) rallied for a 52-41 win over Saint Mary's on Senior Day on Saturday (Feb. 11) at Claire Lynch Hall.

Morgan was one of three players in double digits as the Bennies earned their 16^th win in 23 starts. It is the most wins since the 2017-18 team had a 22-5 mark. At 13-7 in the MIAC, Saint Ben's, which has clinched a MIAC playoff berth, sits in fourth place in the league with its second straight win.

 

"We had a slow start but we finished strong and were able to earn a win on Senior Day," said Mike Durbin, who now has 731 career wins after a series sweep of the Cardinals. "Megan (Morgan) had a really nice game as did Lydia (Hay) and Tori (Szathmary)."

Following the victory, CSB honored its five seniors: Tori Szathmary, Gabby Martin, Hannah Johnson, Maria Klein and Torri Kempf. Prior to the start of the game CSB recognized the parents of CSB team members. CSB will conclude the regular season with road games at Macalester on Wednesday, Feb. 15 (7 p.m.,) and against Bethel on Saturday, Feb. 18 (3 p.m.).

In rallying for the win, CSB overcame a 21-9 deficit in the first half. The Bennies, which trailed 17-5 after the first quarter and 28-24 at halftime, outscored Saint Mary's, 30-13, in the second half to rally for the victory. The Bennies had an 18-6 game turning run in the third quarter in winning for the 58^th time in 76 games in the series, which dates to 1982.

By the Numbers
In her best game at CSB, Morgan had 14 points on 6-of-10 shooting from the floor and hit a pair of foul shots. Morgan had her first-career double digit scoring game while also adding eight rebounds, including six on the offensive glass, while adding three assists and two steals in 29:31 on the floor.

Junior forward Lydia Hay had 11 points and six rebounds with two steals and a block. For Hay, she recorded her 10^th career double-digit scoring game. Junior guard Carla Meyer supplied 10 points, six rebounds and an assist. She had her 47^th career double-digit scoring game.

Szathmary had nine rebounds, including five offensive boards, along with six points, a team-high four assists, a steal and a blocked shot. Sophomore Sophia Jonas had six points and four rebounds as she reached 70 made threes on the season and surpassed 500 (503) career points.

A key point in the win was the Bennies domination in the paint to the tune of a 32-to-16 margin. With a 48-to-37 rebound edge, including a 20-to-3 margin on offensive rebounds, CSB had a 12-to-2 margin in second chance points. In addition, with Morgan's 14 points, the Bennies had a 19-to-7 margin in bench points.

After shooting just 8.3 percent on 2-of-24 shooting in the first period, CSB hit 14-of-32 field goals in the second and third quarters to rally from a 14-point first-quarter deficit. Overall, the Bennies hit 22-of-76 field goals for 28.9 percent. CSB, which made 4-of-26 from three-point range, was 4-of-6 at the foul line. The Bennies did a solid job of sharing the ball with 13 assists on 22 made baskets.

Saint Mary's, which had 14 points from Ashley Streveler, who made 3-of-5 from three-point range, was 16-of-46 for 34.6 percent. They also made 5-of-16 three-pointers and 4-of-7 free throws but the rebound differential, especially on the offensive glass was the difference.