ST. PAUL, Minn. — Sophomore guard Alyssa Sadlovsky (Pierz, Minn.) drilled a buzzer-beating three-pointer to propel the College of Saint Benedict (15-9, 10-7 MIAC) to a 53-50 comeback victory over St. Catherine (11-13, 6-11 MIAC) Wednesday night at the Butler Center.

The Bennies overcame a 12-point first-half deficit and closed the final four minutes on a 9-0 run, rallying from a 50-44 margin to capture the MIAC road win.

Sophomore guard Drew Buslee (Eagan, Minn.) paced CSB with 17 points, seven rebounds, four assists and two steals, hitting three triples and four free throws. Sophomore guard Lauren Arnold (Chanhassen, Minn.) added 15 points on 6-of-13 shooting and a perfect 2-of-2 effort at the line, extending the nation's top Division III free-throw shooter's streak to 25 consecutive makes.

With the win, CSB improved to 15-9 overall and 10-7 in conference play (7th place). The triumph marked the 781st career victory — and 777th at Saint Benedict — for head coach Mike Durbin, who has now led the Bennies to at least 15 wins in five consecutive seasons and 35 times overall. CSB returns home to host Augsburg on Senior Day at Claire Lynch Hall on Saturday (Feb. 21).

As a team, Saint Benedict shot 30.5 percent from the field (18-of-59), knocked down seven three-pointers and went 10-of-12 from the free-throw line (83.3 percent) as the nation's fourth-ranked free-throw shooting team continued its strong performance. Although the Bennies were outrebounded 47-28, they forced 25 turnovers, including 14 steals, and totaled four blocked shots.

Emma Theisen (Rosemount, Minn.) set the early tone in the first quarter with seven points — including a three-pointer and a lay-up — along with three steals. The teams were tied 10-10 at the four-minute mark before the Wildcats edged ahead, 14-12, after one quarter. CSB shot 5-of-16 (31.3 percent) in the opening frame, while St. Catherine connected on 6-of-13 attempts (46.2 percent).

St. Catherine used a 10-0 run to open the second quarter, stretching its lead to 26-14 as CSB missed its first eight shots. Megan Driste (Sartell, Minn.) snapped the drought with a lay-up at the 4:36 mark. Sadlovsky followed with a three-pointer to make it 26-17. Buslee buried a three with 44 seconds remaining to bring CSB within 28-22. The Wildcats carried a 30-22 advantage into halftime, with the Bennies shooting 8-of-32 (25 percent).

Buslee ignited the rally early in the third quarter with a three at 9:03 and a free throw to trim the margin to 32-26. The Wildcats answered, pushing the lead to 38-26 before three free throws — including two by Kira Young (Hudson, Wis.) — cut it to 38-29. Buslee reached double figures at the line as CSB trailed, 40-31. With 36 seconds left in the quarter, Buslee knocked down another three to bring the Bennies within, 43-40, as the Bennies closed quarter on an 11-2 run. CSB outscored St. Catherine, 18-13, in the third, shooting 4-of-12 from the field while converting eight free throws and two shots from beyond the arc.

In the fourth quarter, CSB pulled within 43-42, and Arnold's lay-up off a Buslee assist at 6:37 kept the deficit at one, 45-44. Facing a 50-44 deficit, the Bennies responded with consecutive baskets from Arnold and Buslee to make it 50-48. After three straight turnovers between the teams, Arnold came up with a steal and converted a lay-up with 16 seconds remaining to tie the game at 50-50.

Moments later, Sadlovsky, who finished with six points, connected from three-point range at the buzzer to seal the victory. CSB outscored St. Catherine, 31-20, in the second half, including a 13-7 edge in the fourth quarter, to complete the comeback.