ST. JOSEPH, Minn. — After opening the season with four wins in five games, the College of Saint Benedict (4-1) has early momentum and growing confidence as they travel to Northfield on Wednesday, Nov. 19, to take on St. Olaf (2–0) at 7 p.m., at the Bob Gelle Court at Skoglund Center. 

CSB has fast start, winning 4-of-5 to open year
CSB wasted little time announcing itself this season. A 91–57 rout of Minnesota Morris — the program's first 90-point performance since 2019 — set the tone on opening weekend, followed by a gritty 51–50 win over Bethany Lutheran to secure the Tipoff Tournament title on Nov. 7–8.  Sophomore guard Drew Buslee (Eagan, Minn.) emerged as the breakout performer, earning tournament MVP honors after dropping 22 points in the opener and delivering clutch moments throughout the weekend. The Bennies stumbled briefly in a 61–60 thriller against UW–Eau Claire, but even that loss came with standout performances. Buslee put together the most dynamic game of her young career: 25 points, seven rebounds, eight steals, and three assists — the program's highest single-game steal total since 2007. Seniors Kira Young (Hudson, Wis.) and Megan Morgan (Winona, Minn.) added key support.

CSB quickly bounced back, posting emphatic wins over Dubuque (75–42) and Nebraska Wesleyan (86–57) on Nov. 15–16. Against Dubuque, Buslee scored 16 points with five steals, Morgan added 11 points, and 14 Bennies found the scoring column. CSB's defense overwhelmed the Spartans, forcing 32 turnovers that produced a 37–7 edge in points off giveaways. In the win over Nebraska Wesleyan, Morgan had a season-best 18 points on 7-of-10 shooting, while senior guard Megan Driste (Sartell, Minn.) delivered a career performance: 17 points, five assists, and four three-pointers, along with three steals.

By the Numbers: Defense First, Buslee Leading the Charge
Five games in, CSB has built its identity around defensive pressure. The Bennies are forcing 25.6 turnovers per game, converting those mistakes into 23.4 points, and already have 68 steals (13.6 per game). They lead the MIAC in turnover margin (11.50, 15th in NCAA Division III) and rank second in assist-to-turnover ratio (0.96).

Offensively, CSB sits second in the league at 72.6 points per game, shooting 40.3 percent from the field and 30.8 percent from deep while hitting nearly 70 percent at the line. Defensively, they're holding opponents to 53.4 points and just 18.9 percent from beyond the arc.

Buslee continues to set the pace, averaging 16.2 points, 3.4 steals, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.6 assists while shooting 42.9 percent from three. Morgan provides steady production at 11.2 points and 4.8 rebounds, Young adds 9.8 points, 4.2 boards, and 1.6 steals, and Driste chips in 7.2 points while hitting 50 percent from deep. Sophomore Lauren Arnold (Chanhassen, Minn.) is averaging 8.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 3.0 steals per game.

Scouting the Oles
St. Olaf, under second-year head coach Megan Lueck, enters the matchup 2–0 with wins over Crown (56–47) and Buena Vista (66–65). The Oles average 61 points per game while allowing 56 and boast a notable rebounding advantage (46–38 per contest).

Erin Schauer leads the team with 15.0 points per game, while Elise Hahn has been dominant on the glass, averaging 16 rebounds to go with 12.5 points. Hallie Koltz adds 12.0 points per night.

Historically, CSB controls the series — 68–10 since it began in 1981. The Bennies have won 15 straight, including last year's 63–52 victory, and hold a 33–5 record in Northfield.

Durbin leads CSB Basketball
Mike Durbin, now in his 41st collegiate season and 40th year at Saint Benedict, enters the year with a 766–273 record at CSB and 770–295 overall. He ranks third all-time in Division III wins and owns 594 MIAC victories, the most among active conference coaches.

What's Next
After Wednesday's game, CSB heads west for the Colorado College Classic on Nov. 28–29, where the Bennies will take on host Colorado College and nationally regarded Whitman College.