COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- Drew Buslee scored 22 points and tied a career-high with eight steals to lead the College of Saint Benedict basketball team (6-1) to its fourth straight win with a 51-48 decision over Colorado College (3-3) on Friday at the Colorado College Fall Classic.

Buslee (Eagan, Minn.) delivered 22 points and matched her career high with eight steals as the Bennies improved to 6–1, leaning on defense to record their sixth win in seven games. CSB held the Tigers (3–3) to just 30.2 percent shooting and forced 19 turnovers while surrendering only eight of their own.

In its 6–1 start, CSB's defense has been the driving force, holding six opponents under 60 points. St. Ben's is allowing just 52.6 points per game and are piling up pressure on every possession, forcing 24 turnovers and collecting 12.9 steals per contest.

Despite being outrebounded 51–34, the Bennies made the most of those takeaways, finishing with an 11–6 edge in points off turnovers and hitting seven three-pointers to Colorado College's five. Their defensive pressure proved decisive again in the final seconds, when the Tigers' potential game-tying shot missed the mark.

CSB controlled the game early, leading 13–7 after one quarter and 23–19 at halftime, building the cushion to as many as 11 points in the second quarter. A 15–11 third-quarter advantage pushed the lead to 38–30, thanks in part to a flurry of threes from Buslee, Megan Morgan (Winona, Minn.), and Megan Driste (Sartell, Minn.). Colorado College rallied late with an 18–13 fourth quarter, trimming the deficit to one with 56 seconds remaining, but Buslee's mid-range jumper and a final defensive stand sealed the win.

Buslee finished 6-of-16 from the field, including three triples, and hit 7-of-10 at the line on her way to her third 20-point performance of the season. First-year forward Emma Theisen (Rosemount, Minn.) added a career-high seven points and seven rebounds, while Morgan chipped in seven points, seven boards, and three assists.
 
The Bennies return to action Saturday, Nov. 29, facing Whitman College (3–2) at 2 p.m., in the Colorado College Fall Classic.