MANKATO, Minn. — The Gustavus men's basketball team has had nothing if not a difficult start to the season. Facing off against three top-tier WIAC opponents in a six day span, the Gusties finally returned home to Minnesota Saturday afternoon, heading 12 miles south to face Bethany Lutheran. Still looking for their first win of the season, the Gusties found themselves within two points of their opponent at halftime for the third time this year. However, unlike the previous three games, a strong Gustavus second half propelled the men's basketball team to an 88-78 victory over the Vikings.
Gustavus jumped out to an early lead, scoring the game's first six points unanswered before Bethany charged back in the game. The Vikings outmuscled the Gusties on both ends of the court to snap the Gustie lead and tie the game at 17 a piece, eventually taking a 19-17 lead over the visitors midway through the first half. The lead changed eight times in the next six minutes, and featured a handful of highlight reel plays, as
Evan Wieker and the Vikings' Mason Ackley exchanged a pair of dunks. Wieker totaled 10 points in this six minute span, but it wasn't enough for the lead at halftime, as the Gusties headed to the locker room down two, 42-40.
The Gusties are no strangers to a tight game at halftime. For the first time this year, though, Gustavus emerged with the momentum to start the second, thanks large in part to the play of senior
Wyatt Olson. Olson pulled down four rebounds and added five points to help the Gusties jump out with a nine point run after the break. With their foot on the gas pedal, Gustavus never looked back. The Gusties closed out the game with a full team offensive effort, getting buckets from
Spencer Swanson,
Adam Biewen,
Brady Kienitz, Wieker, and Olson to end the game with a 10 point lead.
The win snapped a nine-game losing streak for Gustavus that dates back to January 28 of last season. Additionally, the Gusties have the satisfaction of ending Bethany Lutheran's home win streak, as the Vikings hadn't lost a home game in 672 days prior to Saturday's meeting.
Swanson and Olson each posted double-doubles to lead the Gusties to victory. Despite heavy pressure from the Vikings throughout the game, Swanson still managed to shoot 69 percent from the field, picking up 28 points and 10 rebounds. The junior shot a perfect 4-for-4 mark from beyond the arc, and added six assists to his stat line. Olson was dominant on both ends of the court, grabbing a team-leading 13 boards, including nine on the defensive end, while posting a career-high 21 points.
The Gusties will carry the momentum from their first win of the year to Northfield on Tuesday, facing St. Olaf for their MIAC opener.
