ST. JOSEPH, Minn. — Off to a 5–1 start, the College of Saint Benedict hits the road this week for the Colorado College Thanksgiving Classic, set for Nov. 28–29 in Colorado Springs. The Bennies open the nonconference showcase against host Colorado College (3–2) on Friday at 2 p.m., then meet Whitman College (3–2) on Saturday at 2 p.m. Both games will be played at Reid Arena.

Bennies Open Fast At 5-1
Saint Benedict wasted no time setting its tone this season. A 91–57 win over Minnesota Morris — the program's first 90-point outing since 2019 — kickstarted a dominant opening weekend. CSB followed with a gritty 51–50 victory over Bethany Lutheran to secure the Tipoff Tournament title on Nov. 7–8.

Sophomore guard Drew Buslee (Eagan, Minn.) introduced herself as the early breakout star, earning tournament MVP honors with a 22-point opener and a string of clutch late-game plays. Even in CSB's lone loss — a 61–60 thriller against UW–Eau Claire — Buslee delivered one of the program's most dynamic all-around performances in years: 25 points, seven rebounds, eight steals, and three assists. Her eight steals were the most by a Bennie since 2007. Seniors Kira Young (Hudson, Wis.) and Megan Morgan (Winona, Minn.) added veteran steadiness throughout the weekend.

CSB responded to the Eau Claire setback with three straight wins. The Bennies overpowered Dubuque, 75–42, then handled Nebraska Wesleyan, 86–57, on Nov. 15–16. Buslee added 16 points and five steals against Dubuque, while Morgan scored 11 and 14 Bennies entered the scoring column. CSB's defense dictated everything — forcing 32 turnovers and turning them into a 37–7 advantage in points off giveaways.

Against Nebraska Wesleyan, Morgan posted a season-best 18 points, and senior guard Megan Driste (Sartell, Minn.) turned in the top performance of her career with 17 points, five assists, four threes, and three steals. CSB then opened MIAC play with a 59–53 win over St. Olaf on Nov. 20, powered by 18 points and eight rebounds from Morgan and 15 points from Lauren Arnold (Chanhassen, Minn.), including six decisive free throws in the closing seconds.

By the Numbers: Defense Driving the Early Surge
CSB's identity has taken shape quickly — and it starts on the defensive end.

• Turnovers forced: 24.8 per game (1st MIAC, 30th NCAA DIII)
• Points off turnovers: 23.2 per game
• Steals: 80 total (13.3 per game, 2nd MIAC)
• Turnover margin: +10.8 (1st MIAC, 15th NCAA DIII)
• Fewest turnovers in MIAC: 14.0 per game

Offensively, the Bennies are second in the conference at 70.3 points per game, shooting 38.3% from the floor, 28.9% from three, and nearly 72% at the line. Defensively, they're holding opponents to 53.3 points and just 20.2% from beyond the arc.

Buslee leads the attack at 14.8 points, 3.3 steals, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.5 assists, shooting 36.4% from deep. Morgan adds 12.3 points and 5.3 rebounds, while Arnold chips in 9.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 3.0 steals. Young contributes 8.8 points and 4.5 boards, and Driste averages 6.3 points and 1.3 assists.

Scouting the Opponents
Colorado College (3–2)
Head coach Katherine Auguste enters her ninth season with a 100–90 career mark. The Tigers come in off a 92–55 loss to Division I Pacific on Nov. 22 but own quality wins over Puget Sound (59–54), Aurora (62–59), and No. 18 Calvin (64–61). Colorado College is being outscored 68.0–64.8 on the season and shoots 38.6% from the field, 31.0% from three, and 69.7% at the line.
Top players:

• Kayla Mackel: 14.0 points, 5.7 rebounds
• Rayna Welsch: 10.0 points, 6.0 rebounds
• JuJu Garcia: 9.2 points

Series history: CSB is 4–0 all-time vs. Colorado College. The teams last met in 2012, a 75–53 CSB win in Colorado Springs. The Bennies also posted road wins in 2002 and 1990 and won at home in 2001.

Whitman College (3–2)
Longtime head coach Michelle Ferenz has guided Whitman since 2001. The Blues are coming off a 66–55 win over Bushnell and hold earlier victories over Concordia–Texas (67–55) and Mary Hardin–Baylor (57–53). Their losses came against UW–Platteville (66–61) and St. Thomas (Texas) (62–49). Whitman holds a narrow 60.0–58.2 scoring margin while shooting 39.2% from the field, 29.7% from three, and 72.4% at the line.
Top players:

• Holly Morgan: 14.0 points, 5.6 rebounds
• Briana Andrade: 9.2 points, 4.8 rebounds

Series history - CSB and Whitman College will play for the first time in school history.

Durbin's leads CSB Basketball
Head coach Mike Durbin, now in his 41st collegiate season and 40th at Saint Benedict, enters the weekend with a 767–273 record at CSB and a 771–295 overall mark. He ranks third all-time in Division III victories and owns 595 MIAC wins — the most among active MIAC coaches.