NORTHFIELD, Minn. – The Carleton College women's basketball team snapped a five-game losing streak with a 66-49 victory against the College of Saint Benedict on Saturday afternoon. While the story of the day heading into the game was the return to the lineup for Knights' leading scorer Katie Chavez, forward Samantha Cooke stole the show, matching her career high with points to lead the home team.

Carleton (6-11, 3-9 MIAC) rocketed out of the gates to begin the game, scoring on its first five trips down the floor en route to a 11-4 lead over the visiting Bennies (8-9, 4-8 MIAC). Chavez wasted little time contributing in her first game back, with a steal and subsequent layup during the run that gave Carleton a 6-0 advantage. Due in large part to eight points from Cooke during the quarter, the Knights' lead widened to 23-10 heading into the first intermission.

Although Carleton was unable to match its electric scoring output in the second quarter, managing only 10 points during the period, the Knights conceded just 12 points and headed into the locker room with a 33-22 lead. Chavez needed just two quarters to hit double-figures, notching 11 points on 4-of-9 shooting during the half.

While the Bennies hung around during the third quarter, outscoring Carleton, 8-7 through the period's first six minutes. Cooke took over in the closing minutes of the period as the senior went on a personal 9-0 run that took a 10-point Carleton lead and widened it to 19, the Knights' largest of the game. Carleton eventually headed into the final quarter leading, 49-32.

Saint Benedict's showed signs of life to begin the fourth quarter, starting the period on a 9-2 run, but the Bennies were never able to cut the deficit to single digits. Carleton closed the game with a 10-3 run to seal the victory.

This was Cooke's sixth career game with at least 20 points and the second time she surpassed that plateau against Saint Benedict this season as she talied 24 points in their first meeting back in December.

Chavez notched her second career double-double of 13 points and a career-best-tying 10 rebounds. Aiana Whitfield also hit double-figures with 12 points, while Jill Yanai again flirted with a double-double by accounting for nine points and 11 rebounds.

Megan Thompson led Saint Benedict with 12 points with Madison Doran coming off the bench to add 10 more for the Bennies.

The Knights limited the Bennies to 30 percent shooting overall and 17 percent (3-of-18) from 3-point range. Meanwhile led by Cooke's 10-for-19 shooting performance, Carleton connected at a 42 percent rate for the afternoon.

As a team, Carleton dominated on the glass, outpacing St. Ben's 46-33 in rebounds, and with their passing, racking up 13 assists while limiting the Bennies to only three.