MOORHEAD, Minn. -- Senior Kira Young (Hudson, Wis.) scored 17 points and sophomore Lauren Arnold (Chanhassen, Minn.) added 11 points, but the College of Saint Benedict basketball team came up just short in a 57-53 setback to (RV) Concordia-Moorhead in a MIAC matchup Wednesday (Jan. 28).

With the setback, St. Ben's slipped to 12-6 overall and 7-4 in MIAC play, currently sitting seventh in the conference standings. Concordia, which was led by Maya Metcalf's 27 points and 16 rebounds, improved to 15-3 overall and 9-2 in league action, remaining atop the MIAC.

CSB jumped out to a strong start, building a 21-12 lead after one quarter and carrying a slim 31-29 advantage into halftime before Concordia took the lead in the third quarter and held it for the rest of the game. Arnold added five assists, two rebounds and two steals. Young, who now has eight straight games of double-digit scoring, added four rebounds and a career-high four blocks. Also for CSB, sophomore Drew Buslee (Eagan, Minn.) contributed seven points and a team-high eight rebounds, while first-year Emma Theisen (Rosemount, Minn.) finished with eight points and four boards. 

The opening quarter belonged to the Bennies, who shot 44.4 percent from the field while knocking down three three-pointers. Four early points from Young and a three by Sadlovsky helped CSB grab a 7-2 lead. Buslee later drained a three to make it 12-4, and the Bennies continued to build momentum behind baskets from Theisen and Megan Driste. A steal by Arnold led to a basket from Emily Crandall, capping the quarter with a 21-12 advantage.

Concordia responded in the second quarter with a 9-4 run to trim the deficit to 25-21. Young answered with another basket, giving her 11 first-half points, but the Cobbers closed the gap to 27-26 after five straight points. Young halted a brief CSB scoring drought by converting two free throws late in the half, and St. Ben's entered the break holding to a 31-29 lead. Through two quarters, CSB held a 12-3 edge in points off turnovers.

The Cobbers took control in the third quarter, outscoring CSB, 13-8, to grab a 42-39 lead. The Bennies struggled offensively, shooting just 21.4 percent in the period, while Concordia found enough scoring to swing the momentum.

CSB battled back in the fourth, cutting the deficit to one on four different occasions. Arnold's lay-up at 4:31 made it a one-point game, and a Buslee free throw later pulled the Bennies within 50-49. Young tied the game at 51-51 with 2:09 remaining, but Concordia answered with four straight points to regain control. Young's jumper with 20 seconds left cut the advantage to 55-53, and CSB forced a turnover with 11 seconds remaining, but the Cobbers sealed the game with two foul shots with one second left on the clock..

In a defensive-minded contest, Concordia held a slight shooting edge (38.6 percent to 33.9 percent), while CSB made more three-pointers (5-3). The Cobbers' advantage at the free-throw line (10-6) and a 38-26 edge in points in the paint proved decisive, despite CSB forcing 16 turnovers and holding a 17-9 advantage in points off turnovers.

CSB will face St. Scholastica on Saturday, Jan. 31 at 1 p.m., in Duluth, Minn.