ST. JOSEPH, Minn. – The College of Saint Benedict Basketball Team (16-8, 13-8 MIAC), which has clinched a berth in the MIAC Tourney, will conclude the regular season at Bethel (12-11, 12-8 MIAC) at 3 p.m., on Saturday (Feb. 18) with conference postseason tourney seeding at stake.

  
Saint Benedict sits in fourth place in the MIAC with a 13-8 conference record. CSB sits behind conference leader Gustavus (22-2, 19-2 MIAC), second place Concordia (20-4, 17-4, MIAC) and third place Hamline (17-7, 14-7 MIAC).  With a win on Feb.8 over Carleton (62-55), the Bennies earned a post-season berth in the MIAC Tourney set for Feb. 21-25. This final regular season match-up will determine the seeding spot for both Saint Benedict and Bethel.  If Saint Ben's defeats Bethel, they will host the Royals and if Bethel wins they host the Bennies with the game set for 7 p.m., on Tuesday, Feb. 21. Earlier this year, CSB lost to Bethel, 68-64, at Claire Lynch Hall.
  
Of note, CSB Head Coach Mike Durbin coached his 1,000th game against Gustavus on Feb. 1. Durbin has 731 wins with 570 coming in conference play.   
  
Fans can follow the CSB and Macalester game by clicking here for the live video and clicking here for live stats. 
  
Quick Look - Season   

The Bennies started the 2022-23 season with a pair of road wins, including a 57-52 decision over Minnesota Morris and a 63-59 overtime win at St. Olaf which opened MIAC play.  In the home opener on Nov. 22 against Gustavus, CSB dropped a 64-47 decision. Since then, CSB has wins over St. Scholastica, 77-50; Augsburg, 82-68; Macalester, 67-52; and topped Hamline, 53-52, to move into a tie for first place in the league. The Augsburg and Macalester wins were at home at Claire Lynch Hall. In a battle for the top of the MIAC Sophia Jonas hit the game-winning lay-up and Hannah Johnson had a career-best performance of 11 points and 13 rebounds to lead CSB to a dramatic 53-52 MIAC decision over Hamline on Dec. 10 on the road. Then on Dec. 18-19, the Bennies won a pair of games in Hawaii – 64-44 over Worcester State and 69-58 over DePauw.   
  
In the first game after the holiday break, CSB took a heart-breaking 52-50 loss at St. Catherine. However, Carla Meyer scored 19 points and Gabby Martin added 16 as the Bennies rebounded with a key 65-58 road win at Saint Mary's on Jan. 7. On Wednesday, (Jan. 11), the Bennies lost a 72-61 decision to Concordia-Moorhead at Claire Lynch Hall. CSB was led by 15 points and seven rebounds by Carla Meyer while both Gabby Martin (12) and Sophia Jonas (13) also reached double digits in points. CSB lost its second straight at home in a 68-64 setback to conference leader Bethel despite 21 points from Carla Meyer and 18 by Sophia Jonas. The Bennies were able to bounce back with a road win against Carleton, 64-61. CSB was led by Sophia Jonas with 20 points and a career-high of six three-pointers while both Carla Meyer (14) and Olivia Boily (10) reached double digits. On Wednesday, (Jan. 18), CSB was again led by sophomore guard Sophia Jonas, who had 16 points, and senior guard Gabby Martin who also added 10 points to win over St. Kate's (58-38). The bennies continued their win streak this past Saturday with a 67-63 win over Augsburg. Trailing Augsburg by six at halftime, CSB was able to respond in the second half to earn a third straight win. Leading the way was Carla Meyer, who had her first career double double with 22 point and 12 rebounds. CSB advanced their win streak to four with a win over St. Scholastica, 69-46.  Carla Meyer had 20 points while Sophia Jonas added 15 and Megan Morgan had a career-high nine points to lead the Bennies to a victory. On Saturday, Jan. 28, CSB defeated St. Olaf, 79-50, as Carla Meyer had a double-double of 16 points and 10 rebounds.  Sophia Jonas set the three-point season record (62, 19 games) with two three-pointers and 10 total points, but the College of Saint Benedict Basketball Team dropped a 67-56 MIAC decision to Concordia on Jan. 20. CSB was led by Jonas and Gabby Martin with 10 points each. On Wednesday. Feb. 1, the Bennies fell to Gustavus 83-57. The Bennies were led by junior guard Carla Meyer with 11 points as she hit 3-of-5 from three-point range. With that total, Meyer, who had three rebounds and three assists, hit her 100th career three-pointer as Sophomore forward Olivia Boily added eight points on 4-of-6 shooting with two rebounds. First-year Kira Young had a career-high seven points as she made all three of her field goals including a three-point shot. On Saturday, Feb. 4, CSB fell to Hamline 77-58. CSB hung with the Pipers early on, trailing only 16-12 after the first quarter. But Hamline hit four 3-pointers in the second quarter and outscored the Bennies by 13 points to jump on top 42-25 at the half. CSB junior Carla Meyer finished with 19 points to lead all scorers with her 45th career double-digit scoring game. She added a game-best eight rebounds. Senior Gabby Martin finished with 12 points as she now 23 career double-digit scoring games. Lydia Hay and Sophia Jonas both ended the afternoon with 10 points as Hay had her ninth double-digit scoring game of her career. On Wednesday, Feb. 8, Carla Meyer had 22 points and Tori Szathmary grabbed 12 rebounds to lead CSB to a 62-55 win over Carleton and a spot in the postseason. CSB, which hit 23-of-60 field goals for 38.3 percent, opened an 18-12 lead after the first quarter. Carleton outscored the Bennies, 15-13, in the second quarter as CSB led 31-27 at halftime. In the third quarter, CSB had a 14-11 edge and with 17 points in the fourth quarter earned the 62-55 win and a sweep of the season series. On Saturday, Feb. 11, Led by a career high 14 points and eight rebounds by first-year guard Megan Morgan CSB rallied for a 52-41 win over Saint Mary's on Senior Day on Saturday at Claire Lynch Hall. Morgan was one of three players in double digits as the Bennies earned their 16th win in 23 starts. It is the most wins since the 2017-18 team had a 22-5 mark. 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 58th time in 76 games in the series, which dates to 1982. For their first away game of the final week of regular season, the Bennies lost, 63-60, against Macalester, despite Jonas hit a trio of three-pointers in the last five minutes bringing them back into the game. CSB hit five straight threes  

  
Bethel Notes   

Bethel is directed by interim head coach Scott Lauinger. On Feb 15, the Royals lost to St. Mary's 68-70 in OT. Bethel is averaging 59 pts per game for 8th in the MIAC, while giving up 59.3 pts per game leaving them at 6th in the league.  Bethel hits on 37 percent from the field for 11th in the conference, while opponents are shooting at 40.3 percent for 11th in the conference. In three-point shooting, the Royals rank 9th in the conference at 28 percent made with an average of 5.4 per game. They are outrebounded by the opposing team 33.7 to 34 per game. Individually, Courtney Nuest leads the team with an average of 11.4 pts per game, and Anna Garfield leads in rebounds with an average of 6.3 per game.  

  
Series Notes vs. Bethel    

This will be the 79th meeting between the schools with CSB owning a 51-28 series advantage. In the last matchup on Jan. 14, 2023, the Bennies came away with a 68-64 defeat at Claire Lynch Hall. CSB, which won 30 straight games from, Jan. 15, 1997 to Dec. 8, 2010, has a 28-11 home record with a 23-17 road mark. 

  
SEASON BREAKDOWN   

Sophia Jonas, who averaged 14.0 points, hit 50 percent from the field and hit the game-winner against Hamline, was named the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) Basketball Offensive Player of the Week on Dec. 12. A sophomore accounting major from Hudson, Wis., Jonas has become the first-ever CSB Basketball player to earn back-to-back MIAC weekly honors. She is the 30th overall CSB basketball student-athlete to earn a MIAC player of the week honor in program history. She was also named the CSB Athlete of the Week on Monday (Dec. 12). Jonas, who was also honored by the MIAC as Offensive Player of the Week on Dec. 5, helped lead the Bennies to a 67-52 win over Macalester on Dec. 7 at Claire Lynch Gym and a thrilling 53-52 win on the road over Hamline on Dec. 10.   

  

Senior forward Tori Szathmary  who led the Bennies to a pair of wins this past week and a berth in the conference postseason tourney, was named the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) Defensive Player of the Week on Feb. 13. In wins over Carleton (62-55) and Saint Mary's (52-41), Szathmary played a key role as she averaged 6.0 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.5 blocks (3) and 2.0 steals (4). As a result, CSB clinched a berth in the MIAC Tournament. Szathmary earned her first-ever MIAC Defensive Player of the Week honor. In a win over Carleton, she had six points and 12 rebounds, including five offensive boards with two blocks and three steals. In a win over St. Mary, Szathmary had nine boards, including five offensive rebounds, four assists, block, and a steal. This season, the senior forward has started 18 games and averaged 4.9 points with 6.2 rebounds while blocking 10 shots and dishing 21 assists. In 76 career games, including 45 starts, Szathmary has 10 double digit scoring games and 11 double digit rebound games along with four double doubles. She has totaled 373 points with 412 rebounds. In addition, she has 29 career blocks, 60 steals, 59 assists, 68 made free throws and 143 field goals, including 19 from three-point range.  
  
CSB opened season with win over Minnesota Morris   

Sophomore Sophia Jonas knocked down five threes and scored 15 points to lead CSB past Minnesota-Morris, 57-52, on Nov. 12 on the road. Both Olivia Boily (12 points and 7 rebounds) and Abigail Kuboushek (10 points and 7 rebounds) had career-highs in points and helped CSB to a 22-14 advantage in bench scoring. With the win, CSB improved its series lead over UMM to 12-3 with a 12th straight win in the series.   
  
Bennies win MIAC opener in overtime at St. Olaf   

Carla Meyer, Sophia Jonas and Tori Szathmary scored in double-digits and sparked a second-half rally as the College of Saint Benedict (2-0, 1-0 MIAC) opened MIAC play with a 63-59 road win in overtime over St. Olaf (3-1, 0-1) on Nov. 19. Trailing 32-28 at halftime, the Bennies outscored the Oles, 28-24 in the second half to force overtime. With a 7-3 advantage in the extra session, CSB earned the victory in the closely contested league match up. The key play in the second half (overtime) was from junior forward Lydia Hay (seven points), who converted a three-point play with 16 seconds left to give the Bennies a 61-59 lead. Then, Szathmary had a pair of foul shots late to help the Bennies to the win. Szathmary recorded the fourth double-double of her career with 14 points and tied a career-high with 13 rebounds (Augsburg, March 3, 2021). With the 13 rebounds, she surpassed 300 rebounds for her career (305). Sophomore guard Sophia Jonas continued her sharpshooting from the perimeter by scoring 15 points for the second straight game. She was 4-of-8 from three-point range and had two rebounds. Junior guard Carla Meyer led the team with 18 points.   
  
CSB falls to Gustavus   

In its home opener, CSB dropped a 64-47 MIAC decision to Gustavus Adolphus (4-0, 2-0 MIAC) on Nov. 22 at Claire Lynch Hall. CSB was led in scoring by junior guard Carla Meyer who had 14 points, four rebounds, two assists, two steals and a blocked shot. Overall, the Bennies had struggles shooting from the field as they hit just 25.4 percent on 15-of-59 shooting, including 5-of-27 in the second half. CSB was 4-of-25 from three-point range for 16 percent but knocked down 13-of-18 free throws for 72.2 percent. CSB trailed just 17-15 after the first quarter before Gustavus had a 21-13 margin in the second to take a 38-28 lead to halftime. CSB was outscored, 20-10 in the third quarter as the Gusties built a 58-to-38 lead. The Bennies outscored Gustavus, 9-to-6 in the fourth quarter but it was not enough.   
  
Bennies roll past St. Scholastica, 77-50   

Sophia Jonas tied a career-high with five three-pointers and four players scored in double-digits to lead the College of Saint Benedict basketball team to a 77-50 road win over St. Scholastica (0-5, 0- on Nov. 30 in MIAC action. St. Ben's scored 20 points or more in three of four quarters for the first time this year. The Bennies took control of the game with a 14-2 run in the second quarter which pushed the lead to 40-24 at the break.  The Bennies hit a season-best 41.5 percent from the field by making 27-of-65 field goals. In the opening half, CSB was particularly effective by hitting 16-of-31 field goals for 51 percent.  
   

In winning its second straight game and fourth in five outings, the College of Saint Benedict Basketball Team featured clutch shooting, dominating rebounding and major contributions off the bench in defeating Augsburg, 82-68, on Dec. 3 at Claire Lynch Hall. CSB had career-best performances off the bench from sophomore forward Olivia Boily (13 points), first-year guard Megan Morgan (seven points) as well as a near career-high from sophomore sharpshooter Sophia Jonas (22 points). CSB jumped to a 21-18 lead after one quarter and led, 43-30, at the halftime break. With a 39-38 edge in the second half, the Bennies came away with a season-high in points in its best game of the young season. In total, CSB had three players in double digits as junior point guard Carla Meyer had 17 points to go with eight assists, five rebounds and two steals.   
  
Bennies cruise past Macalester, 67-52   

The trio of Carla Meyer, Gabby Martin and Sophia Jonas all scored 15 points to lead the College of Saint Benedict Basketball Team to its third straight win in a 67-52 MIAC win over Macalester on Dec. 7th at Claire Lynch Hall. Early on, the game was close as the Bennies led, 13-11, at the first quarter break. With an 18-10 margin in the second quarter, CSB took a 31-21 lead to halftime. The Scots outscored CSB, 17-16, in the third quarter to stay within 47-38 at the third quarter break before the Bennies had a 20-14 margin to record a third straight double-digit win.   

    

CSB records a dramatic win over Hamline   

Sophia Jonas hit the game-winning lay-up and Hannah Johnson had a career-best performance of 11 points and 13 rebounds to lead the College of Saint Benedict to a dramatic 53-52 road MIAC decision over Hamline on Dec. 10. With the victory, Saint Ben's won its fourth straight game to move into a tie for first place in the MIAC with Bethel and Hamline. Of the six total lead changes in the game, four of them came in the final minute, culminated by a lay-up from Jonas with seven seconds left. CSB, which led by as many as 14 points in the first half, called a timeout after Hamline had taken a 52-51 lead with 10 seconds to go on a lay-up from Lyndia Lecher. Then, Jonas made the shot to lift CSB into first place. The Bennies started fast by grabbing a 12-7 lead after the first quarter and took a 28-17 lead to the halftime break with a 16-10 advantage in the second quarter. Hamline rallied with a 19-13 edge in the third quarter to draw within 41-36 of CSB. Then, the Pipers had a 16-12 advantage in the fourth quarter and twice took the lead late.   
  
Jonas and Meyer help Bennies over Worcester State   

 Sophia Jonas scored 15 points and Carla Meyer added 14 as CSB defeated Worcester State (4-7) at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium in Hilo, Hawaii on Dec. 18.  Saint Ben's jumped to a 19-9 lead after one quarter and held a 35-16 margin at the half. With a 13-6 advantage in the third quarter, the Bennies opened a game-high 26-point lead and cruised to the nonconference win. Jonas tied her career-high in made three-pointers with five and had 15 points along with three rebounds and one assist in 23 minutes. Meyer also had a standout game for the Bennies with 14 points, three rebounds and six assists. Overall, CSB finished 24-of-53 from the field for 45.3 percent while making 9-of-28 from the three-point line for 32.1 percent. On defense, they held Worcester State to 29.1 percent from the field on 16-of-55 shooting and just 3-of-16 from three-point range.    
  
Meyer leads CSB to 69-58 win over DePauw   

Led by 20 points from Carla Meyer, finished 2-0 at the Big Island Classic with a 69-58 decision over DePauw (5-5) in nonconference play on Monday night (Dec. 19). With a sizzling shooting performance in the first half, CSB, which had four players record double-digit points games, opened a 42-28 lead as the Bennies hit 10-of-17 shots for 58.8 percent in the second quarter. Then, the Bennies outscored DePauw, 14-12 in the third quarter for a 56-40 lead and held off the Tigers in the fourth quarter. As a result, the Bennies finished nonconference play, 3-0. Against DePauw, she hit 7-of-20 field goals while grabbing seven rebounds, dishing three assists, and registering a steal. Three others – Olivia Boily, Gabby Martin and Lydia Hay -- all had 10 points. CSB, which led by as many as 19 points (59-40, 9:49, fourth quarter), had a 41-40 rebound edge and forced 13 turnovers, which resulted in a 19-to-6 margin over the Tigers.    
  
CSB falls at St. Catherine, 52-50   

CSB, which had 13 points from Sophia Jonas and 12 by Carla Meyer, had a six-game winning streak end in a 52-50 MIAC road loss to St. Catherine (5-2, 5-2 MIAC) at the Butler Center on Jan. 5. The Bennies trailed 9-8 after one quarter before taking a 24-20 lead to halftime after a three-point play from sophomore Olivia Boily. Led by Meyer and Jonas with six points each, the Bennies took a 40-29 lead after the third quarter. However, the Wildcats responded with a big fourth quarter, which included a 23-10 run, for a 52-50 win. CSB had a couple of opportunities to tie in the final seconds, but the ball did not drop.   
  
Meyer and Martin lead Bennies to road win at Saint Mary's   

Led by 19 points from Carla Meyer and 16 from Gabby Martin, CSB moved move into a tie for first place in the MIAC with a 65-58 road win at Saint Mary on Jan. 7. 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).   
  
Bennies Falls to Concordia   

CSB was led by Carla Meyer with 15 points alongside Sophia Jonas with 13 points and Gabby Martin with 12. The difference in the game 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.    
  
CSB falls short to Bethel     

Carla Meyer scored 21 and Sophia Jonas added 18 but a fourth quarter rally by CSB fell just short in a 68-64 setback to Bethel in MIAC action. CSB and Bethel battled back and forth all game with nine lead changes and four tie scores. The Bennies took a 16-12 lead after one quarter and, after the Royals had an 18-15 advantage in the second stanza, CSB led, 31-30, at halftime. CSB led by nine with 8:09 to play in the second quarter before Bethel rallied. In the third quarter, Bethel had a 15-12 margin to take a 45-43 lead to the fourth quarter. In the final period, the Royals built a nine-point lead (52-43, 7:45) before they closed to within 65-64 with 20 seconds to play but could not get over the top.    
  
Jonas, Meyer, and Boily lead CSB to 64-61 victory over Carleton    

Sophomore guard Sophia Jonas, who had 20 points and a career-high six three-pointers, led three-players in double digits as CSB rallied for a come-from-behind 64-61 MIAC road victory over Carleton. After the first quarter, CSB had a 19-11 second quarter edge to lead 30-28 at the break. The game was tied at 49 after three-quarters before senior Tori Szathmary had two clutch baskets and first-year guard Megan Morgan's made a pair of clutch free throws in the final seconds as CSB held on for a 64-61 win.    
  
Dominant defensive effort leads CSB to a 58-38 win over St. Catherine   

The offense was again led by sophomore guard Sophia Jonas, who had 16 points, including 5-of-11 from three-point range, while grabbing two rebounds and handing out two assists. Senior guard Gabby Martin also reached double digits for the 21st time in her career with 10 points while grabbing six rebounds and handing out two assists. Hay had seven points and four rebounds while Szathmary totaled seven points with six rebounds. Saint Ben's, which led by as many as 24 points (3:15, 4th quarter), never trailed in the game. They had a 9-6 lead after the first quarter and built a 23-15 halftime lead. With a 13-to-9 edge in the third quarter, the Bennies took a 36-24 lead to the fourth quarter. Then, CSB had a 22-to-14 margin for the 20-point win.   
  
Meyer records career-first double-double to lead CSB to a 67-63 win over Augsburg   

Trailing Augsburg by six at halftime, and not having looked particularly crisp, Junior Carla Meyer and the Bennies answered resoundingly in the final two quarters of play to record a third-straight win. Meyer finished with 22 points – 16 of them coming in the second half and 12 rebounds. Sophia Jonas also added 11 points alongside Lydia Hay with 9 points and Olivia Boily with 8 points.   
  
Led by Meyer, Jonas, and Morgan, CSB rolls past St. Scholastica   

Carla Meyer had 20 points while Sophia Jonas added 15 and Megan Morgan had a career-high nine points. CSB opened a 13-6 lead after one quarter but was outscored, 18-17, as the margin was cut to 30-24 at halftime. In the third quarter, CSB shot 45 percent and knocked in 3-of-5 triples for a 21-10 run to lead 51-34 at the break. The Bennies also had an 18-12 fourth quarter as they outscored the visitors 39-22 in the second half. Saint Ben's controlled action as they led for 34 minutes. In controlling action, CSB hit 24-of-60 field goals for 40 percent, including 6-of-19 from three-point range for 31.6 percent. In addition, the Bennies made 78.9 percent from the foul line on 15-of-19 shooting.    
  
CSB rolls to fifth straight in 79-50 win over St. Olaf   

With a double-double (16 points, 10 rebounds) from Carla Meyer and double-digit scoring from Lydia Hay (12), Tori Szathmary (12) and Sophia Jonas (10) the College of Saint Benedict (14-4, 11-4 MIAC) rolled to a fifth straight victory in a 79-50 MIAC decision over St. Olaf (8-10, 5-10 MIAC) on Jan. 28 at home. After taking a 21-18 lead through the first quarter, CSB took control. They outscored the Oles, 17-8, in the second quarter, 23-14, in the third period and 18-10 in the fourth quarter to win for the second straight game by at least 23 points. It was CSB's seventh win by double-digit margin and it was the team's biggest overall margin this season.    
  
Sophia Jonas sets three-point season record but Bennies fall to Concordia   

Sophia Jonas set the three-point season record, but the College of Saint Benedict Basketball Team dropped a 67-56 MIAC decision to Concordia (Minn.) on Jan. 30. Saint Ben's came out fast, jumping to a 24-14 lead after the first quarter and building a 37-25 lead at the halftime break by outscoring the Cobbers, 13-11. Jonas hit a pair of three-pointers in the first quarter to give her 62 on the season - sixth in DII and one better than the record of 61 by Joyce Spanier in 1990-91. Jonas set the record in 19 games and still has six regular season games to play plus the possibility of postseason play. However, the game was the tale of two halves as CSB was outscored 42-19 in the second half. Concordia had a 25-13 edge in the third quarter to draw the game even at 50-50. With a 17-6 fourth quarter, the Cobbers picked up their second win of the season over the Bennies.   
  
Meyer hits 100th career 3 but CSB falls to Gustavus   

Carla Meyer had 11 points, including her 100th career three-pointer, but a hot-shooting Gustavus Adolphus squad earned an 83-57 win over the College of Saint Benedict Basketball Team on Wednesday night in MIAC action. The Bennies were led by junior guard Carla Meyer with 11 points as she hit 3-of-5 from three-point range. With that total, Meyer, who had three rebounds and three assists, hit her 100th career three-pointer in her 44th career double-digit scoring game. Sophomore forward Olivia Boily added eight points on 4-of-6 shooting with two rebounds. First-year Kira Young had a career-high seven points as she made all three of her field goals including a three-point shot. Senior guard Gabby Martin had six points and a team high six rebounds. Sophia Jonas had six points including a pair of threes as she now has 64 in her career. First-year Megan Morgan had six points while first-year guard Megan Driste hit her first career-three-point shot.   
  
CSB falls to Hamline in MIAC play   

CSB junior Carla Meyer finished with 19 points to lead all scorers with her 45th career double-digit scoring game. She added a game-best eight rebounds. Senior Gabby Martin finished with 12 points as she now 23 career double-digit scoring games. Lydia Hay ended the afternoon with 10 points and her ninth double-digit scoring game of her career. Sophia Jonas also added 10 points marking it as her 26th career double-digit scoring game. Sophia Jonas felt pretty good about the energy she felt from her team going into Saturday afternoon's MIAC matchup but that did not necessarily carry over into the game's first half. The result was a hole the Bennies were never able to crawl out of, falling 77-58.   
  
Meyer and Szathmary lead CSB to win over Carleton and punch ticket into MIAC tourney

Carla Meyer had 22 points and Tori Szathmary grabbed 12 rebounds to lead the Bennies to a 62-55 win over Carleton and a spot in the postseason. CSB is now tied for fourth in the league with Bethel at 12-7 and have clinched one of six spots in the MIAC Postseason Tournament. The 15 wins by the Bennies is tied for the mark of a year ago with the 12 victories the most since 2017-18 (16). CSB, which hit 23-of-60 field goals for 38.3 percent, opened an 18-12 lead after the first quarter. Carleton outscored the Bennies, 15-13, in the second quarter as CSB led 31-27 at halftime. In the third quarter, CSB had a 14-11 edge and with 17 points in the fourth quarter earned the 62-55 win and a sweep of the season series.  

  

Morgan scores career-high 14 to lead CSB to a 52-41 win over St. Mary's   

Led by a career high 14 points and eight rebounds by first-year guard Megan Morgan, the College of Saint Benedict Basketball Team 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 16th 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. 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 58th time in 76 games in the series, which dates to 1982.  
 

Sophia Jonas hit a trio of three-pointers to lead a furious last-minute rally that fell just short as the College of Saint Benedict Basketball Team (16-8, 13-8 MIAC) dropped a 63-60 MIAC decision on the road to Macalester (7-17, 6-15 MIAC) on Wednesday night (Feb. 15).With the setback, CSB, which had a double double from Carla Meyer of 12 points and 14 rebounds, fell to 16-8 overall. CSB trailed 58-45 with 1:20 to play in the game before the Bennies hit five straight three pointers, including three by Jonas, to draw within, 63-60 with 20 seconds left to play. Saint Ben's had two chances in the final 15 seconds, but the shots were offline. 

 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS   
  
Inside look at CSB   

This year, St. Benedict is averaging 62.5 points per game for fifth in the league while allowing 58.0 for fourth in the MIAC. The Bennies rank sixth in the league with 6.5 made three-pointers per game (156 total). In addition, defensively, CSB is holding opponents to 28.8 percent shooting (3rd, MIAC) from three-point range and 37.7 percent (5th, MIAC) overall from the field. The Bennies are ranked third in rebounds at 37.9 per game and fourth in offensive boards at 12.1 per outing.   
  
CSB rankings in MIAC and DIII   

The Bennies have two of the top scorers in the MIAC. Junior guard Carla Meyer is averaging 14.7 for sixth in the league while Sophia Jonas is putting up 12.8 ppg for 10th in the league. Jonas ranks first in the MIAC and tenth in NCAA DIII at 3.0 three-pointers per game (league high 73 total). Jonas also ranks 27th in three-point field goal percentage at 36.9 and tied for 6th in total three-pointers at 70 in NCAA DIII. Meyer is tied for first in the league (128th in DIII) with 3.5 assists (84 total) per game and third in the MIAC in assist-turnover ratio at 1.5. This year, CSB has outrebounded opponents in 12-of-23 games. The Bennies have a high of 51 rebounds (St. Olaf, 1/28/23) and have 13 times forced more turnovers than opponents. In fact, CSB has forced over 20 turnovers on four occasions. In terms of assists, CSB has had more assists than their opponents 18-of-23 games.   
  
Of note, Meyer (110) and Jonas (117) both have totaled more than 100 career three-pointers in their career. Jonas is tied for eighth all-time at CSB with Molly Mark, 117, 1996-00. Meyer ranks 11th and is just three made 3s from 10th – Annie Dittnerner, 113, 2013-17. Jonas has her total in 49 games and Meyer, 56. Mark set her mark in 109 games and Dittnerner in 103 games.  

  
PLAYER NOTES   

Guard  Carla Meyer, a junior from New Brighton, Minn., has scored double digits in 42 of the past 47 games (48 double-digit career scoring games), including a career-best 26 points against Bethel on Feb. 2, 2022. Meyer has three career double doubles – all this year after 16 points and 10 rebounds in a win on Jan. 28 against St. Olaf and 12 points and 14 rebounds in a loss to Macalester. She recorded her first career double-double with 22 points and 12 rebounds over Augsburg on Jan. 21. Meyer, who has a season-high of 26 points this year against Bethel (Jan. 14), has double-digit points in 20 of 24 games, averaging 14.7 points per game for sixth in the MIAC. She has grabbed 5.7 rebounds with 3.5 (84) assists per game for second in the MIAC. Meyer, who has made a career-best four three pointers in a game eight times, has totaled 805 points (352 in 2022-23), 290 rebounds (136 this year), 108 three-pointers (31.8 percent on 340 attempts), 57 games, 56 starts, 70 steals and 197 assists. She is 313-of-761 in field goals for 40.8 percent and 68-of-82 for 82.9 percent in free throws in her career.   
  
Gabby Martin, a senior from Pillager, Minn., scored a career-high 17 points against St. Olaf on Feb. 9, 2022, and has a high of eight rebounds at St. Scholastica on Nov. 20, 2021, and against Augsburg on Dec. 3, 2022, with a high of six assists also against St. Olaf on Feb. 9, 2022. Martin, who has 23 double digit scoring games in her career, is averaging 6.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.1 steals per game in 2022-23. She has seven double-digit points games this season with a season-high of 16 in the win over Saint Mary's on Jan. 7. She had five steals on Jan. 10, 2022, against St. Olaf on the road for her career best. Martin, who has made 34 career threes (150 attempts, 22.6 percent) at CSB, has 416 points and 158 this season. She has 78 steals, 95 assists and 187 rebounds (53 offense) in playing in her second year with the program.   
  
Tori Szathmary has four career double-doubles, including the latest against St. Olaf on Nov. 19, 2022. She has 10 double-digit rebounds totals with a career-high in rebounds of 13 against Augsburg on the road on March 3, 2021, and against St. Olaf on Nov. 22, 2022. This season Szathmary, who was named MIAC Defensive Player of the Week on Feb. 13, is averaging 5.0 points and a team-best 6.3 rebounds per game which places her 12th in the MIAC. She has ten blocked shots this season and 29 in her career. She set a career-best in points with 17 against Bethany Lutheran on Nov. 13, 2021. Originally of Lakewood, Colo., she has played in 77 games at CSB.  Szathmary has scored double-digits 10 times. Szathmary has 379 (100 in 2022-23) career points with 421 career rebounds (126 this year). The co-president of the SAAC, she has 136 career offensive boards and 47 this year. Szathmary is 146-of-397 from the floor for 37.3 percent and 19-of-69 from three-point range for 27.5 percent. She has 68 made three throws in 130 attempts for 52.3 percent.  
  
Junior forward Lydia Hay has recorded 10 double-digit scoring games, and reached double digits in rebounds once (11, Wisconsin-Superior, 11/23/21). She has five double-digit games this year. This year, Hay is averaging 6.0 points and 4.0 rebounds per game with ten blocked shots. Originally of Maple Grove, Minn., Hay, who has 303 points and 194 rebounds in her career, scored a career-best 14 points against Macalester on 12/11/21. In 54 career games, including 47 at CSB, she has hit 113-of-320 field goals for 34.0 percent (107-of-310 for 34.0 percent at CSB) and is 31-of-135 from three-point range. She has 33 blocks, 23 steals, 38 assists and 194 rebounds (53 on offense). She has made 46-of-68 free throws for 67.6 percent.    
  
Sophomore wing Sophia Jonas, who is now the career leader for a season in made three-pointers with 73 (61, Joyce Spanier, 1990-91), has scored double-digits in 20 of the 24 games, including 12 straight, this season. Jonas, who ranks 10th in the MIAC with 12.8 points per game, has twice earned MIAC Offensive Player of the Week in 2022-23 and by doing it in consecutive weeks on Dec. 5 and 12, is the first in school history with that noteworthy honor. She now has 27 career double-digit scoring games, including three 20-point games. Jonas earned her first-ever MIAC Offensive Player of the Week honor on Dec. 5, as she averaged 19.5 points and hit 55.6 percent of her three-pointers (10-of-18) in wins over St. Scholastic and Augsburg. On Dec. 12, she was honored again by the MIAC after averaging 14.0 points, hitting 50 percent from the field, and hitting the game-winner in a 53-52 road win at Hamline. Jonas set a career-high six made three-pointers in the 64-61 road win at Carleton on Jan. 16, 2023. She has made five triples or more six times in her career. Overall, this year, she is 73-of-188 on made threes for 38.8 percent for second the MIAC and 27th in DIII. Her 73 threes put her at first in the league and 10th in NCAA DIII and her 3.0 per game is best in the MIAC and eighth in DIII. She is averaging 2.3 rebounds and has 31 career steals. On Jan. 10, 2022, against St. Olaf, she set her career high with 23 points. On Jan. 30, 2022, against Concordia, she broke the all-time record (61) of most three-pointers in a season and now has 69. She also holds the school record of 188 attempted threes (Carla Meyer, 139). Twenty-three times, she has hit three or more three-pointers in a game. She has 516 career points, 117 (330 attempts, 34.5%) made three-pointers and 102 rebounds. Jonas has made 172-of-490 field goals for 35.1% and converted 45-of-55 for 81.8 percent on free throws. She has 30 steals and 65 assists in her career.   
  
Sophomore Olivia Boily, who is averaging 7.2 points and 4.3 rebounds per game, set a career-best with 13 points vs Augsburg on Dec. 3, 2022. She has five double-digit point games in 2022-23 and in her career. Boily set her career-high in rebounds with 11 against Carleton on Jan. 22, 2022. In 48 career games, she has 288 points (173 this year), 210 rebounds, 38 assists, 28 steals and 18 blocks. Boily has hit 3-of-11 from three-point range and 125-of-268 from the floor for 46.9 percent in her career. This year, the sophomore is shooting 78-of-164 for 47.6 percent from field.  She has grabbed three or more rebounds 15 times this season and 27 times in her career. Twice she has reached double-digits in rebounds.  
  
Abigail Kuboushek, a sophomore from Prior Lake, Minn., opened her sophomore season by setting a career-best with 10 points and seven rebounds vs. Minnesota Morris. She also has four made three-point shots in 27 attempts and 10-of-47 for 21.3 percent in her career. Kuboushek, who also recorded her first-double-digit scoring game against UMM this year, now has 85 points and 71 rebounds in her career in 39 games. She is averaging 2.3 points and 1.9 rebounds per game this year. Against Carleton, she had eight rebounds including a career-high seven offensive boards – the best total by a CSB player this year.  
  
Hannah Johnson, a senior from Willmar, Minn., is averaging 3.3 points and 3.6 rebounds this year. She had a career-high in rebounds with 13 and points with 11 in the dramatic 53-52 win at Hamline on Dec. 10, 2022. Johnson has one career double-double and one game of double-digit points. In 50 career games, including 20 starts, she has totaled 141 points (66 this season). She has 133 rebounds for 3.7 per game and owns 27 offensive boards. Johnson has made 24-of-68 field goals for 34.3 percent in 2022-23 with 53-of-169 in her career for 31.4 percent. She has made five triples, including two this year. Johnson has 72 assists with 30 this year and a career high 34 in 2019-20. She had five assists at Carleton on Jan. 26, 2022. On Jan. 4, 2020, she made two triples for a career-best against Augsburg.   
  
Megan Morgan, a first-year guard from Winona, Minn., has played in 23 games, averaging 4.1 points and 3.0 rebounds per game. In her debut season, she has 94 points, 68 rebounds, 22 assists and eight steals. Morgan scored a career high on Feb. 11, 2023, against St. Mary's with 14 points. She has made 35-of-67 field goals for 52.2 percent and is 5-of-21 on three-pointers. She has hit 19-of-25 free throws for 76.0 percent. Morgan made two clutch free throws with nine seconds to play as CSB defeated Carleton, 64-61 on the road Jan. 16, 2023. She has reached double-digits in rebounds with 10 in the dramatic 53-52 win at Hamline on Dec. 10, 2022. Morgan recorded three assists against Carleton on Feb. 8, 2023, and made her first career-three in a win over Augsburg on Dec. 3, 2022.   
  
CSB Head Coach Mike Durbin has 731 career wins   

Durbin, who is in his 37th season with the Bennies in 2022-23, recorded his 700th win at home (Claire Lynch Hall) on Feb. 24, 2021, in an 88-83 win over the University of St. Thomas. This season, the Bennies stand 16-8 overall and 13-8 in MIAC play. Against Gustavus on Feb. 1, he coached his 1,000th career game. In 36 seasons, Durbin has recorded 32 winning teams, coached 70 All-MIAC First Team selections, 54 honorable mention athletes, 15 players All-MIAC Defensive Team members and 15 all-first year team picks. Overall, he has a 730-269 record, including 726-248 with the Saint Ben's program. Under Durbin's direction, CSB has averaged nearly 20 wins a season for 40 years and has won or shared 13 MIAC championship titles. CSB has finished in the top four in the conference 29 times in his 36 seasons at the helm. CSB has also competed in the NCAA Tournament 17 times in Durbin's 36 years, including eight NCAA Sweet 16 appearances, three Elite 8 appearances and two NCAA Final Four appearances. He ranks 14th among all active coaches regardless of NCAA division and has the most wins by an active DIII coach. He ranks 32nd all-time for most wins in a career, regardless of division. In 2015-16, Durbin guided CSB to the 500th MIAC win in program history since joining the league in 1985. Saint Benedict is the third program to reach the milestone and was the last team to join the conference. He holds a 561-173 mark in conference play. During the summer of 2003, Durbin was inducted into the Minnesota High School Girls Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame. On Dec. 1, 2001, against Macalester at Claire Lynch Hall, Durbin surpassed former University of St. Thomas head coach Ted Riverso as the career wins leader in MIAC women's basketball history. In 1992-93, Saint Benedict made its first appearance in the NCAA Final Four, and then repeated that accomplishment just six years later. In the 1998-99 season, he led CSB to the NCAA Championship game, finishing as the national runner-up with a 74-65 loss to Washington University (Mo). Four CSB basketball players have received MIAC Player of the Year honors, nine have received All-American Honors and five have received Academic All-American honors. Under Durbin's watch, 20 players have surpassed the 1,000-point milestone in their careers. Durbin, the eldest of nine children, was born and raised in Howard, Ohio. At East Knox High School, he competed in basketball and football. After his high school graduation in 1977, Durbin attended Kent State University, where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in communication and public relations in 1981. He later earned a master's degree from Ashland College in sports administration. He served as an interim coach at Wittenberg University (Springfield, Ohio) for one year before coming to CSB in 1986.