Only three games remain for CSB Basketball until playoffs

The CSB basketball team has been busy, competing against Concordia on Jan. 30, Gustavus Adolphus on Feb. 1 and Hamline University on Feb. 4 in Claire Lynch Hall. The Bennies played hard but lost all three games. Despite this, the team has had a relatively successful season posting an overall record of 14-7 and a MIAC record of 11-7. Some of the players’ favorite games of the season include both Augsburg games and a win against Hamline early in the season. In the first Hamline game, the Bennies worked hard on both defense and offense, pulling out a win at the end of a tight game.

“We lost to [Hamline] both games last year, so it was a great team win, and we all played so well together that game. Sophia Jonas also made an end-of-the-game shot for the win, which was super fun for the team,” junior point guard/wing Carla Meyer said.

The team has been challenged this year with difficult competition. According to sophomore wing/point guard Jonas, the hardest games are the ones where the team does not start well and has to come back from being down. The games against Gustavus and Concordia, currently ranked first and second in the MIAC respectively, challenged the team due to their opponent’s talent and ability to push the ball.

“We struggled with playing together as a team, but we also learned that we need to do that in order to succeed,” Meyer said.

Over the course of the season, the team has learned a lot about their strengths and weaknesses. According to head coach Mike Durbin, one thing the team has excelled at this season is playing with poise. However, he would like to see improvement in consistency at both ends of the floor, both in urgency and execution.

“Our team has worked very hard at getting better at the defensive end and going after rebounds, which is something that continues to be successful as we move through the season,” Meyer said.

The MIAC is tough this year with many teams boasting winning records, so the Bennies will need to play together and work hard to compete with the top teams during playoffs.

“I believe one good week of basketball during playoffs could propel us to a very satisfying season,” Durbin said.

The end of the season is approaching quickly, with the MIAC tournament starting on Feb. 21. The team feels confident that they can make a run in the tournament.

“We have the skills that we need to be at the top of the MIAC, and that really shows when we play together as one,” Jonas said.

The team has learned to depend on the chemistry that they have been building to get through the highs and lows of the season. Senior post Tori Szathmary acknowledged that the best, most fun games are the ones where the team plays together. The seniors on the team this year have added to the dynamic by being strong leaders and bringing the energy and encouragement to the team.

“Our senior leadership is great. We will really miss having them next season, and everyone will have to step up to fill their roles on and off the court,” junior forward Lydia Hay said.

According to Szathmary, although the team has seen positive results from the hard work they’ve been putting in, they have not yet accomplished all they want to this season. With hopes to break their losing streak, the Bennies will play St. Mary’s this Saturday at 3 p.m. in Claire Lynch Hall.