BAYAMON, Puerto Rico – Junior guard Megan Morgan scored 18 points, and first-year guard Tatum Findley added 12 but the College of Saint Benedict basketball team (8-2) dropped a 63-59 overtime decision to John Carroll (8-1) at the Puerto Rico Clasico on Tuesday (Dec. 17).

CSB, which is now 8-2 after the overtime nonconference setback, finished 1-1 at the Puerto Rico Clasico. St. Benedict will be on break until Jan. 4 when they host Hamline in MIAC play.

Morgan reached double digits for the 21^st time in her career after hitting 7-of-13 field goals, including 4-of-8 from three-point range for a season-high 18 points. She also had eight rebounds, and three assists. Findley had her third double digit scoring game with 12 points as she also had three rebounds and two steals.

Seniors Sophia Jonas and Olivia Boily reached double digits. Jonas, who has 50 career double-digit scoring games, scored 11 points, including hitting a trio of three pointers and now has 217 in her career. Jonas, who hit three or more threes for the fourth time this year and is the school season (84) and career three-point record holder, ranks second all-time in MIAC play in made triples. Boily added 10 points, five rebounds and four assists as she now has four double-digit games this season and 10 in her career.

First-year forward Sofia Baldessari recorded a career-high 13 rebounds, including four offensive boards.

In a game that was controlled by the defenses on both sides, CSB hit just 33.8 percent on 22-of-65 shooting, which included 7-of-28 from three-point range. The Bennies, which forced 17 turnovers, held John Carroll to 32.3 percent from the field on 20-of-62 shooting, which included 4-of-19 from three-point range. A big key for JCU was its advantage at the foul line in which they had a 19-to-8 edge.

JCU, which had a 20-to-4 edge in points over turnovers, was outscored by CSB, 30-to-26 in the paint. But they had a 12-to-6 edge in fast-break points and a 10-to-6 margin in second chance points.
In a game with eight ties and two lead changes, CSB had the lead for just 1:37.

In the opening quarter, JCU opened up a 16-to-6 lead by shooting 6-of-13 from the field for 46.2 percent. St. Ben's made just 2-of-13 shots for 15.4 percent, including 2-of-7 from three-point range.

The Bennies were able to cut the lead to six points at the half-time break (27-21) by outscoring JCU, 15-11. CSB converted 6-of-16 field goals for 37.5 percent while JCU was just 4-of-16 for 25 percent. Both teams connected on one three-pointer.

In the third quarter, the defenses continued to control the game. CSB was 3-of-14 for 21.4 percent and JCU was 2-of-10 for 20 percent as CSB held a 9-7 scoring edge and cut the lead to 34-30.

In the fourth quarter, CSB rallied to tie the game as the end of regulation by outscoring JCU, 21-17. Findley's jumper with 23 seconds to play created the tie and forced overtime. In the quarter, CSB used its best shooting quarter - 53..3 percent on 8-of-15 shooting - to rally. The upgrade in its shooting fortunes was matched again by strong defense as JCU was just at 35.3 percent on 6-of-17 shooting.

In overtime, the Bennies took an early 57-54 edge on a Jonas three-pointer (3:01). JCU regained the lead at 59-57 with 1:21 to play before Boily's jumper created a 59-59 tie. Then, JCU used four free throws in the final 38 seconds to earn the win as the Bennies missed on a pair of jump shots.