ST. JOSEPH, Minn. -- The lights at Claire Lynch Hall will shine bright this Friday night (Nov. 7) as the College of Saint Benedict women's basketball team opens its 2025–26 campaign. Led by veteran head coach Mike Durbin, now in his 41st season overall and 40th at CSB, the Bennies open the year by hosting their annual CSB Tipoff Classic on Nov. 7-8 at Claire Lynch Hall.
 

St. Benedict, which is coming off a 17–10 season and a third straight trip to the MIAC Tournament semifinals, will open play against Minnesota Morris at 8:15 p.m., Friday, followed by a Saturday matchup at 3 p.m., against Bethany Lutheran. Aside from the CSB games, the Tipoff Classic includes College of St. Scholastica facing Bethany Lutheran at 6:15 p.m., on Friday and the College of St. Scholastica facing Minnesota-Morris at 1 p.m., on Saturday. 

After the home-opening weekend, CSB will play three more nonconference contests before heading to St. Olaf on Nov. 19 to begin MIAC play. The schedule also features a Thanksgiving trip to the Colorado College Classic (Nov. 28–29) and a Dec. 6 home MIAC opener against Concordia—the same team the Bennies upset in last year's postseason. (Full Schedule - Click Here)

A year ago, St.  Ben's finished fifth in the MIAC, fueled by strong shooting and disciplined defense. CSB averaged 65.1 points per game (4th in MIAC), shooting 40.6% from the field and 30.9% from beyond the arc, while converting 70.8% at the line. Defensively, the Bennies forced turnovers at a steady rate, finishing with a +2.44 turnover margin (3rd in MIAC) and averaging 6.9 steals per game.

Head coach Durbin sees signs that this team can take another step forward.

"We've been doing well against the teams that have finished below us," said Durbin, who has 766 career wins. including 762 at CSB. "And we need to take that next step and beat some of the teams that have been above us. That win at Concordia last year gave us a glimpse of what we're capable of. I'm confident we can take that next step."

Durbin, who has coached 76 All-MIAC First Team selections, 55 honorable mention athletes, 15 players named to the All-MIAC Defensive Team and 15 all-first year team picks. is particularly energized by the mix of experience and youthful talent on this year's roster. With 12 returning players and seven first-years, the Bennies have both depth and chemistry.

At the heart of that returning core is senior guard Megan Morgan, last year's All-MIAC selection and one of 82 all-conference honorees in Saint Benedict history. Morgan averaged 11.9 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game last season, and she enters her senior year with 680 career points, 150 assists, and 50 steals.

"It's definitely great to have a solid veteran group," said Morgan, who also was named College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District. "It helps translate everything we learned last year—both offensively and defensively. Our first-years have come in with a lot of energy and are ready to work hard. It's been really fun to help them grow into our team culture."

Another senior leader, forward Kira Young (Hudson, Wis.), returns after earning CSC Academic All-District and All-MIAC Playoff Team honors. She averaged 7.1 points and 6.0 rebounds per game, recording 20 double-digit scoring games in her career.

"We've started out with a really good base of team chemistry," Young said. "Everyone worked hard in the offseason, and our drive to get better every day has been really strong."

Senior guard Megan Driste (Sartell, Minn.), who added valuable perimeter shooting with 28 made threes last season, echoed that mindset.

"Trusting our teammates is a really important step in advancing to the next level," Driste said. "Beating Concordia in the playoffs showed that we can compete—and win—against the top teams in our conference."

The Bennies also feature young talent ready to make an impact. Sophomore guard Lauren Arnold, who averaged 9.1 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.9 assists as a first-year, believes the team's athleticism will be a difference-maker.

"Our speed is one of our biggest strengths," Arnold said. "We can get up, pressure the ball, and create steals. That's something that can really set us apart."

Durbin sees a lot of good things ahead for the 2025-26 Bennies.

"I'm really excited about the group that's back," added Durbin, who has a MIAC-best 594 conference wins. "You can tell they've done the work in the offseason, and as a coach, that's one of the most rewarding things to see. And, the newcomers bring a lot of energy and ability. It will be an exciting season for St. Ben's basketball."