ST. JOSEPH, Minn. – Despite four players scoring in double figures, the College of Saint Benedict basketball team (8-6, 6-4 MIAC) dropped a 77-62 decision to No. 6 Gustavus (14-1, 10-0 MIAC) on Monday (Jan. 15) at Claire Lynch Hall.

With the loss, CSB fell to 6-4 in the MIAC and sit in a tie with Bethel for fourth place. CSB, which is 8-6 overall, will look to end a three-game slide when they host Saint Mary's on Wednesday (Jan. 17) at 7 p.m.

Gustavus opened up a 24-12 lead after a quarter, but CSB rallied by shooting 58.3 percent in the second stanza to cut the lead to 37-30 at the break. In a back-and-forth third quarter, the Gusties moved to a 56-47 lead and then outscored CSB, 21-15, in the fourth quarter for the final result.

Carla Meyer led CSB in scoring with 14 points as she had her 61^st double-digit scoring game. The senior guard improved to 1,042 career points, which ranks 18^th all-time at CSB. She is just 11 points from taking over 17^th at 1,052, held by Lynn Nielsen (1989-93). Against GAC, Meyer was 6-of-12 from the field and hit 1-of-4 from three-point range while grabbing four rebounds and handing out three assists.

Sophia Jonas had 12 points by hitting 4-of-10 field goals, including a pair of three-pointers. The junior guard now has 166 threes (723 career points) in her career for fourth all-time at CSB. She added two rebounds, two assists and a steal. Also, reaching double-digits in points was St. Cloud Orthopedic/CSB Athlete of the Week Lydia Hay, who had 11 points, two rebounds and an assist. She had her 18^th career double-digit scoring game and her fifth in six games. The Bennies also had 11 points and six rebounds from sophomore forward Kira Young. She now has nine career double-digit scoring games – all this year.

Gustavus used a 56.7 percent shooting mark (34-of-60), which included a 52-to-22 advantage of points in the paint, to earn its 10^th straight league win. The Bennies, which hit 22-of-58 field goals for 37.9 percent, also lost the rebound battle, 34-31, as the Gusties had a 11-to-10 mark in second chance points. CSB finished with 15 turnovers, compared to the Gusties 10. 

GAC was led by 23 points from Rachel Kawiecki and 16 points from Morgan Kelly, as they had the lead for 38:41. The Gusties took their biggest lead of game at 16 points at the 7:12 mark of the fourth quarter. Twice, the Gusties had 10-0 scoring runs while CSB had a seven-point scoring run in the third quarter.

 First Quarter Summary – GAC shoots 68.8 percent to grab lead
GAC opened up a 24-12 lead at the quarter break after hitting 11-of-16 field goals for 68.8 percent. CSB, which led early, 5-4, made just 4-of-17 field goals for 23.5 percent. GAC had 10 straight points for a 14-5 lead. Then, closed the quarter on a 10-7 run to maintain a double-digit advantage.

Second Quarter – CSB hits 58.3%, outscore Gusties, 18-13
CSB hit 7-of-12 shots for 58.3 percent, including 3-of-4 from distance, to rally within seven after outscoring the Gusties, 18-to-13. CSB, which trailed, 37-30, at halftime, had seven points from Meyer in the first half. CSB was 11-of-29 for 37.9 percent in the opening half. Sophomore guard Megan Driste's (five points, three steals, two assists) three cut GAC's lead to 24-16 at the nine-minute mark. After GAC scored four straight points for a 28-16 lead, Jonas made a three at the 5:45 mark to cut lead to 28-19. Jonas had a driving-lay-up (:52) and, as the buzzer sounded, Young's jumper was true to keep CSB within seven.

3^rd Quarter – GAC outscores CSB, 19-17
In the third quarter, GAC had a 19-to-17 scoring edge as they hit 57.1 percent on 8-of-14 shooting. CSB was just 6-of-16 for 37.5 percent as the Gusties' lead drew to nine by the break. However, Hay hit a pair of free throws at the 9:29 mark to draw CSB to within five points (37-32), which was as close as the Bennies would get the rest of the night. GAC answered with 10 straight points for a 47-32 lead (7:09). Young's basket inside stopped the run at 5:42 as CSB trailed, 47-34. Then, CSB had a 13-9 run to close the period as Hay hit a three and Meyer, Morgan Chmielewski and Driste all had baskets.

Fourth Quarter – Gusties shoot 69.2 percent from field to extend lead
GAC outscored CSB, 21-to-15, in the fourth quarter on the strength of 69.2 percent shooting (9-lof-13). CSB was 5-of-13 in the quarter for 38.5 percent but couldn't sustain a comeback against the Gusties. Kawiecki's basket with seven minutes left gave the Gusties their largest lead at 63-47. CSB cut the lead to 11 points but could draw no closer.