MINNEAPOLIS — The College of Saint Benedict basketball team put together a balanced offensive effort and controlled play for nearly the entire afternoon to earn a 78-70 MIAC road victory over Augsburg on Saturday (Jan. 3) at Si Melby Hall.
Lauren Arnold (Chanhassen, Minn.) scored a career-high 19 points and
Megan Morgan (Winona, Minn.) recorded her third career double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds as the Bennies led for more than 38 minutes of the contest and built a lead as large as 19 points late in the fourth quarter.
With the win, Saint Benedict improved to 8-3 overall and 3-1 in MIAC play, moving into a tie for fourth place with St. Scholastica. Augsburg dropped to 4-7 overall and 1-3 in conference action.
CSB set the tone early, taking a 19-10 lead after one quarter and maintaining control despite an Augsburg push before halftime. The Bennies led, 39-36, at the break, then pulled away again in the third quarter by outscoring the Auggies, 19-14, to take a 58-50 advantage into the final quarter. Both teams scored 20 points in the fourth quarter, but Saint Benedict's ability to get to the free-throw line and control the paint sealed the win.
The Bennies shot 47.5 percent from the field (28-of-59) and overcame an 8-3 disadvantage in made three-pointers by converting 19-of-24 free throws (79.2 percent). Augsburg finished at 42.2 percent shooting (27-of-64) and went 8-of-17 from the free-throw line. Saint Benedict held a 43-34 rebounding edge, scored 42 points in the paint, and added a 15-7 advantage in second-chance points.
Arnold was highly efficient, knocking down 7-of-9 shots from the field, including her lone three-pointer, and all four of her free throws. She also added three rebounds, two assists, and a steal. Morgan anchored the inside with six field goals and five offensive rebounds, while also dishing out a game-high eight assists.
Senior forward
Kira Young (Hudson, Wis.) added 15 points and nine rebounds, while sophomore guard
Drew Buslee (Eagan, Minn.) contributed 12 points, nine rebounds, and two assists, including a pair of three-pointers. First-year forward
Emma Theisen (Rosemount, Minn.) chipped in eight points and four rebounds.
Saint Benedict returns to action on Wednesday, Jan. 7, with a MIAC road game at Macalester in St. Paul, Minn., tipping off at 7 p.m.
