RIVER FALLS, Wis. – No. 10 Gustavus women's basketball concluded the WIAC portion of its schedule Wednesday night, facing UW-River Falls for the team's fourth road game to start the season. The Gusties (4-0 overall) took advantage of precise shooting in the second and fourth quarters, as well as consistent defensive rebounding, to collect their fourth win, 56-44, over the Falcons (2-2 overall). Gustavus has played half of the WIAC to start the season, having previously defeated UW-La Crosse, UW-Eau Claire, and No. 13 UW-Stout.
The Gusties got off to a slow start in the game's opening minutes, as River Falls took the first lead of the game. A
Kylie Baranick (Sr., Maple Grove, Minn.) three-pointer got the Gusties back on track early, though, igniting a 9-2 run to give No. 10 Gustavus an 11-7 lead midway through the first quarter. The Gusties forced five turnovers in that time, holding the Falcons to 1-for-7 shooting, including four missed from long range. UWRF scored the final two baskets of the quarter to tie things up at 11-11 heading into the second.
A quick pep talk from Head Coach
Laurie Kelly was exactly what the Gusties needed to start the second quarter, as the offense erupted to outscore the Falcons 18-6 in the next 10 minutes. River Falls went 3-for-14, and couldn't slow down the Gusties, who got points from six different players. Baranick delivered a layup and a three-pointer to give Gustavus a double-digit lead, while the No. 10 team in the nation added 10 defensive rebounds and scored 11 points off turnovers to head to the locker room up 29-17.
The Falcons cut the lead to single digits in the third, finally getting one to fall from long range, helping River Falls win the quarter 15-12. UWRF's cold shooting fell to the Gusties after the half, as the team went 4-for-11 out of the locker room.
Syd Hauger (5th, Springfield, Minn.) turned the heat back up in the fourth, scoring eight of her own, including back-to-back three-pointers, to separate the Gustie lead for good. Hauger and Baranick hit 3-of-5 fourth quarter treys to put the game out of reach, and while the Falcons scored the final points of the game, it was far too little, far too late, as Gustavus collected the 56-44 victory.
The Gusties finished shooting 39.6 percent from the field, compared to a 30.4 mark from the Falcons. River Falls struggled from three, hitting three of 20 attempts, while the Gusties went 6-for-17, three of which came in the final frame. Rebounds were even with 35 for each team, but the Gusties won the defensive battle on the glass, 29-25.
Hauger and Baranick led the team with 15 points each, as Hauger went 6-for-8 form the field and Baranick 5-for-10.
Izzy Quick (5th, Brooklyn Park, Minn.) hauled in 11 rebounds to lead the team once again, while Hauger chipped in a trio of steals. D3hoops.com Player of the Week
Emma Kniefel (5th, Medford, Minn.) led the Gusties with three assists.
The Gusties are off for the rest of the week, hosting their home opener against Colorado Collage (2-0 overall) on Monday, Nov. 25 at Gus Young Court.
