ST. JOSEPH, Minn. — The College of Saint Benedict basketball team (15-9, 10-7 MIAC) closes out the 2026 regular season Saturday afternoon when it hosts Augsburg (5-19, 2-15 MIAC) on Senior Day. Tipoff between the Auggies and Bennies is set for 1 p.m., inside Claire Lynch Hall.

Saint Benedict enters the finale riding the momentum of a thrilling 53-50 win at St. Catherine on Feb. 18, capped by a buzzer-beating three-pointer from Alyssa Sadlovsky (Pierz, Minn.). The victory pushed CSB to 15-9 overall and 10-7 in conference play.  Following the game, CSB basketball will honor seniors Megan Driste (Sartell, Minn.), Megan Morgan (Winona, Minn.) and Kira Young (Hudson, Wis.).
 

Season Recap
The Bennies set the tone early in the 2024–25 campaign. On Nov. 7, CSB rolled past Minnesota Morris, 91–57, marking its first 90-point outing since 2019. One night later, Saint Benedict claimed the Tipoff Tournament title with a 51–50 win over Bethany Lutheran.

Sophomore guard Drew Buslee (Eagan, Minn.) quickly emerged as a key piece. She poured in 22 points in the opener to earn tournament MVP honors, then delivered a historic stat line at UW–Eau Claire on Nov. 12 with 25 points, seven rebounds, eight steals and three assists. Her eight steals were the most by a Bennie since 2007 — a total she later matched against Colorado College.

Following a narrow loss at Eau Claire, CSB won four of its next five, beginning with a 75–42 rout of Dubuque on Nov. 15. The Bennies forced 32 turnovers and converted them into a 37–7 edge in points off turnovers, with 14 players finding the scoring column. Buslee finished with 16 points and five steals, while Megan Morgan (Winona, Minn.) added 11.

That defensive pressure fueled an 86–57 win over Nebraska Wesleyan as Morgan scored a season-high 18 points and senior Megan Driste (Sartell, Minn.) recorded a career-best 17 points to go with five assists, four three-pointers and three steals.

Conference play opened Nov. 19 with a 59–53 win at St. Olaf. Morgan posted 18 points and eight rebounds, and Lauren Arnold (Chanhassen, Minn.) sealed the game at the free-throw line while finishing with 15 points.

At the Colorado College Fall Classic, Buslee collected 22 points and eight steals in a 51–48 win over the host Tigers before CSB dropped a 66–57 decision to Whitman despite strong performances from Buslee and Morgan.

One of the season's defining moments came Dec. 10 at Claire Lynch Hall, where Saint Benedict defeated Gustavus Adolphus, 67–45, for its first win over the Gusties since 2020. Morgan led the way with 21 points, nine rebounds, four three-pointers and three steals.

January opened with a 78–70 win over Augsburg on Jan. 3 behind Morgan's near triple-double (16 points, 10 rebounds, career-high eight assists) and 19 points from Arnold. Four days later, CSB topped Macalester, 72–57, on the road as Morgan scored 19 and first-year Emma Theisen (Rosemount, Minn.) added a career-high 13.

After a setback against Hamline, the Bennies responded with wins over St. Catherine (60-50) and Carleton (70-57), climbing as high as second in the MIAC standings. Arnold scored a career-high 25 against the Knights, Sadlovsky added a career-best 13, and Kira Young (Hudson, Wis.) recorded a 14-point, 13-rebound double-double.

In recent action, Arnold hit two free throws with 8.8 seconds left to secure a Feb. 7 win over Carleton as she scored 15, while Driste and Buslee added 12 apiece. On Feb. 11 at Macalester, Driste drained a clutch three and Arnold finished with 17 points, including two free throws with 3.4 seconds remaining, in a 72-68 victory. Hamline claimed a 69-53 decision on Feb. 14 despite 20 points from Arnold. In the Feb. 18 win over St. Catherine, Sadlovsky's buzzer-beater sealed the outcome while Buslee totaled 17 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Arnold contributed 13 points, including two key free throws.

Defense and Free Throws Key Success

Defense continues to anchor Saint Benedict's success. The Bennies lead the MIAC in turnover margin (+6.7) — ranking 28th nationally in Division III — and force 18.8 turnovers per game (second in the MIAC) while averaging 11.1 steals (second). Offensively, CSB scores 63.9 points per game (fourth in MIAC) and allows 59.3 (seventh), holding 12 opponents to 60 points or fewer.

At the free-throw line, Saint Benedict has been dominant. The Bennies shoot 77.4 percent as a team — fourth in Division III and first in the MIAC — and average 15.4 made free throws per game (first in MIAC, eighth nationally). They also take care of the basketball, committing just 14.2 turnovers per contest (third in MIAC).

Arnold leads the team with 12.8 points per game and tops all of Division III in free-throw percentage at 94.8 percent (73-of-77), including 25 straight makes. Buslee follows at 12.3 points and 4.8 rebounds per game, with 43 three-pointers and 68 steals — third-most in the MIAC. Young averages 10.8 points and 5.6 rebounds and has reached double figures in 12 of the last 14 games. Theisen adds 6.0 points and 5.6 rebounds per outing, while Sadlovsky (5.8 points, 25 threes) and Driste (4.7 points, 21 triples) provide perimeter depth.

Scouting Augsburg

Augsburg, led by second-year head coach Mallie Doucette, enters Saturday at 5-19 overall and 2-15 in MIAC play. The Auggies have dropped 11 straight contests and average 56.7 points while allowing 72.4 per game. Wakinyela Bear and Sydney Hazuga pace the team at 9.4 points per game.

Series History

Saint Benedict holds a commanding 68–15 advantage in the all-time series with Augsburg, including a 30–10 record at home. The rivalry dates back to Dec. 8, 1981, when CSB fell to the Auggies, 59-50. Earlier this season, the Bennies earned a 78-70 win in Minneapolis on Jan. 3.

Durbin Nears Milestone

Head coach Mike Durbin continues to add to his remarkable legacy. In his 40th season (41st overall) at Saint Benedict, Durbin owns 777 wins with the Bennies and 781 overall, ranking third all-time in Division III and standing as the MIAC's active leader in conference victories.