MINNEAPOLIS – Led by 15 points from Megan Morgan, 13 by Olivia Boily and a career-best 14 rebounds from Kira Young, the College of Saint Benedict basketball team (10-6, 5-4 MIAC) secured a 63-44 victory over Augsburg (3-13, 1-8 MIAC) on Wednesday, January 22, at Si Melby Hall.  

The win boosted St. Benedict to a 10-6 record for the season and a 5-4 mark in the MIAC. The Bennies, who will host Saint Mary's at 1 p.m. on Saturday, January 25, also improved to 5-2 in road games.

A significant milestone was reached in the win, as senior Sophia Jonas became just the 22nd player in CSB history to score 1,000 career points. Jonas, who contributed nine points in the game, surpassed the milestone with a three-pointer — her 233rd career three-pointer. CSB's career/season three-point leader now has 1,005 career points. Along with her scoring, Jonas, who is second all-time in the MIAC in career threes, also added two rebounds, two assists, and three steals.

Morgan and Boily led the offense, both reaching double digits. Morgan posted a team-high 15 points, along with four rebounds and three assists. This marks her 10th double-digit scoring performance this season and the 23rd of her career. Boily added 13 points, 6 rebounds, and a steal. She hit 5-of-11 field goals in her fifth double-digit scoring game of the season and the 11th of her career.

First-year guard Tatum Findley chipped in with 10 points, four rebounds, and an assist, marking her seventh career double-digit game. Junior Kira Young contributed nine points, a career-best 14 rebounds, two assists, and a blocked shot. Young's 14 rebounds set a team-season high and were the most by a Bennie since Carla Meyer recorded 14 against Macalester on February 15, 2023.

Despite shooting below their season average, the Bennies' defense was exceptional, particularly in the second half. St. Ben's held Augsburg to just 13 points in the final two quarters, limiting them to 44 points for the game — the fifth time this season the Bennies have held an opponent to fewer than 50 points. After trailing 20-16 after the first quarter and 31-30 at halftime, St. Ben's dominated the second half, outscoring the Auggies 33-13 to secure the victory.

The Bennies forced 15 turnovers, including 9 steals, resulting in an 18-6 advantage in points off turnovers. CSB also outscored Augsburg 32-18 in the paint and 12-0 in fast break points. Overall, the Bennies shot 21-of-60 (35%) from the field, including 4-of-16 from three-point range, and 17-of-24 (70.8%) from the free throw line. On the defensive end, CSB held Augsburg to just 29% shooting (18-of-62), including 5-of-14 from beyond the arc.

Game Summary -
The game started with Augsburg closing the first quarter on a 9-2 run, including three, three-pointers in the final 1:41, to take a 20-16 lead. CSB struggled from the floor in the opening quarter, shooting just 3-of-13 (23.1%) and 2-of-5 from three-point range. Meanwhile, Augsburg shot 56% (8-of-15), including 4-of-5 from three-point range.

In the second quarter, St. Ben's responded with a 7-0 run to take a 23-20 lead, highlighted by Jonas hitting her 233rd career three-pointer to reach 1,000 career points. However, Augsburg finished the quarter with a 10-7 run to retake a 31-30 lead at halftime. The Bennies improved their shooting to 35.3% in the second quarter, but still couldn't regain the lead, despite outscoring Augsburg 14-11 in the period.

The Bennies came out strong in the third quarter, edging Augsburg 11-7 to take a 41-38 lead. CSB's defense held Augsburg to just 3-of-17 (17.6%) shooting in the quarter, while St. Ben's shot 28.6% (4-of-14).

In the fourth quarter, the Bennies opened with a 7-0 run, capped by a Boily basket, to extend their lead to 48-38 with 6:40 left. Jonas hit a jumper to push the lead to 54-38. St. Ben's defense stifled Augsburg, holding them to just 2-of-12 (16.7%) shooting in the final quarter, and the Bennies outscored the Auggies 22-6 in the period. CSB shot 8-of-16 from the field and added five free throws in seven attempts to seal the win.