ST. PAUL, Minn. – Despite 20 points from Lauren Arnold (Chanhassen, Minn.) and 11 from Kira Young (Hudson, Wis.), the College of Saint Benedict basketball team (14-9, 9-7 MIAC) fell to Hamline (17-6, 11-5 MIAC) in conference play.

The Bennies remain 14-9 overall and sit seventh in the MIAC at 9-7 with two regular-season games remaining – on the road at St. Catherine on Feb. 18 and at home against Augsburg on Feb. 21 for Senior Day. Directed by head coach Mike Durbin (780 career wins), CSB has now reached 14 or more victories in each of the past five seasons.

Arnold (Chanhassen, Minn.) recorded her second 20-point performance of the season, shooting 5-of-8 from the field, including 2-of-4 from three-point range. The nation's top free-throw shooter finished a perfect 8-of-8 at the line and is now 71-of-75 (.947) this season. She added three steals as the Bennies totaled 13 steals and forced 25 turnovers. Arnold has scored in double figures in 15 games this season, including seven straight, and has posted 15 or more points in four consecutive outings.

Young (Hudson, Wis.) finished with 11 points, four rebounds, three assists and a blocked shot. She shot 4-of-9 from the field and 3-of-4 from the free-throw line, reaching double figures for the 12th time in the past 13 games, 16 times this season and 36 times in her career. First-year forward Emma Theisen (Rosemount, Minn.) added eight points, six rebounds and two steals.

Hamline's shooting proved to be the difference. The Pipers connected on 25-of-46 field goals (54.3 percent) and were 10-of-16 (62.5 percent) from three-point range. Sophie Stork led the way with 21 points, going a perfect 8-of-8 from the field and 5-of-5 from three-point range, while Camille Cummings added 18 points.

CSB shot 16-of-54 (29.6 percent) from the field and 4-of-22 from beyond the arc but continued its strong work at the foul line, converting 17-of-19 (89.5 percent). Ranked fifth in NCAA Division III in free-throw shooting, the Bennies are now shooting 77.3 percent as a team from the stripe. CSB turned its 25 forced turnovers into a 22-18 advantage in points off turnovers, though Hamline held a 26-14 edge in points in the paint.

The Pipers used a strong start to seize control. Hamline closed the first quarter on a 13-2 run to take a 22-14 lead after shooting 8-of-13 (61.5 percent) and hitting all five three-point attempts. The Bennies struggled in the second quarter, going just 1-of-12 from the field and 0-of-8 from three-point range as Hamline outscored CSB, 15-4, to build a 37-18 halftime advantage.

Saint Benedict responded with a 19-17 edge in the third quarter, shooting 6-of-14 from the field and a perfect 6-of-6 at the free-throw line to regain momentum. The Bennies also held a 16-15 advantage in the fourth quarter, but the second-quarter deficit proved too much to overcome. CSB went 4-of-15 from the field in the final period but converted all seven free-throw attempts, while Hamline sealed the win at the line, making eight fourth-quarter free throws.