ST. JOSEPH, Minn. – The College of Saint Benedict basketball team doesn't waste any time jumping back into MIAC play in 2020. The team faces one of its toughest tests of the season Saturday, Jan. 4, when it hosts No. 16 Augsburg at 3 p.m. in Claire Lynch Hall.
 
The team wrapped up nonconference play Dec. 28 at Bethany Lutheran, so it's all MIAC action from here on out.

ABOUT THE AUGGIES
Augsburg hasn't played since Dec. 11, but that game was a big one as it snapped a 26-game losing streak against St. Thomas, beating the Tommies 69-65 in overtime on the Tommies' home court. The Auggies head into the new year ranked 16th in Division III. Tamira McLemore leads the team and is fifth in the MIAC with 15.4 points per game, and she is also third with 3.4 steals per game.
 
LAST MEETING
Augsburg won the one meeting between the two teams in 2018-19, beating CSB 66-60 on Jan. 2 in St. Joseph. CSB cut a 13-point deficit to four late in the fourth, but was unable to pull out the win. Maddie Schmitz and McKenzie Holgate both had 14 points and Alex Johnson had 12 points and 10 rebounds.
 
THE STORYLINE
After a 6-0 start to the year, CSB heads into 2020 looking to snap a three-game losing streak. The Bennies are also trying to get back on track in MIAC play as the team is now 2-2 after a pair of close conference losses in December. The team's schedule doesn't get easier as it hits the road to take on nationally ranked UST next weekend.
 
WHO TO WATCH
Haylee Fingalsen scored a career-high 14 points to lead CSB in its loss to Bethany Lutheran on Dec. 28. Alex Johnson added 12 points and Tori Szathmary led the team with a career-high seven rebounds. Johnson is still second in the MIAC with 9.1 rebounds per game and eighth with a .553 field-goal percentage. Megan Thompson leads the team in scoring, assists and steals per game.