ST. JOSEPH, Minn. -- Augsburg University's women's basketball team ended its 2025-26 season with a 79-57 Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference loss to the College of Saint Benedicton Saturday at Claire Lynch Hall. The Auggies converted 20 of 23 free throws and collected 38 rebounds, including 12 offensive boards. The Bennies capitalized on their 30 points in the paint and 34 bench points to maintain control throughout the game.

THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Saint Benedict 79, Augsburg 57
LOCATION: Claire Lynch Hall, St. Joseph, Minn.
RECORDS: Augsburg 5-20 overall (2-16 MIAC), Saint Benedict 16-9 overall (11-7 MIAC)

GAME RECAP
Saturday's game marked the end of the collegiate careers of Auggie seniors Wakinyela Bear and Melanie Delestrez. Bear finished her 91-game Auggie career with 591 points, 284 rebounds, 129 assists, and 87 steals, while Delestrez concluded her three-season tenure at Augsburg with 250 points, 306 rebounds, 44 assists, and 47 steals over 67 games.

Augsburg opened the first quarter with a strong presence inside, scoring eight points in the paint. Lani Fonoti hit a jumper at 8:32 to put the Auggies on the board, while Bear contributed with a layup at 6:48, narrowing the gap. Bear's performance in this game included 14 points, marking her 11th game in double figures in her senior season. A three-pointer from Saylor Gallagher at 5:26, assisted by Bear, further tightened the score. Augsburg trailed 20-13 at the end of the quarter.

Saint Benedict extended its lead over Augsburg in the second quarter, fueled by a balanced scoring attack. Emma Theisen's layup at 9:05 and Megan Driste's 3-pointer shortly after pushed Saint Ben's ahead. Augsburg responded with free throws by Tyliah Frazier at 7:00, a 3-pointer from Sydney Hazuga at 6:43, Bear's layup at 5:54, which was followed by Fonoti's 3-pointer at 5:07, narrowing the deficit to 66-49. Lauren Arnold then countered with a 3-pointer for the Bennies at 6:21, maintaining their advantage. Despite Frazier's efforts, including a fast-break layup at 4:14, Augsburg trailed 36-25 at the end of the quarter.

Augsburg struggled to close the gap in the third quarter despite a concerted effort from the free-throw line and defensive stops. Fonoti scored a jumper at the 8:00 mark and contributed a defensive rebound, while Kaylee Buerman and Bear each made key free throws to keep the score within reach. However, the Auggies' field goal attempts were limited, and the Bennies capitalized on turnovers and fouls to maintain their lead. The quarter ended with Augsburg trailing 58–39.

Augsburg started the final quarter with attempts to close the gap, highlighted by Despite these efforts, the Bennies maintained their lead with consistent scoring in the paint, extending their advantage to 78-57. Augsburg's free-throw shooting, including two successful attempts by LaiLoni Harris at 0:56, added to their score, but Saint Ben's held on for the 79-57 victory.

AUGSBURG PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS
• Lani Fonoti: 12 points, 2 3-pointers  
• Wakinyela Bear: 14 points, 6/7 free throws made, 7 rebounds
• Tyliah Frazier: 6 points, 2 steals, 4 rebounds  
• Sydney Hazuga: 5 points, 2 steals, 5 rebounds   

SAINT BENEDICT PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS
• Lauren Arnold: 16 points, 6/8 field goals made, 3 assists  
• Drew Buslee: 14 points, 7 rebounds, 4 steals  
• Emma Theisen: 14 points, 6/6 free throws made, 12 rebounds  
• Kira Young: 10 points, 8 rebounds