SAINT PETER, Minn. – The Gustavus women's basketball team, which jumped up to No. 7 in both the D3hoops.com and WBCA national rankings, rolled to a 69-46 victory over St. Olaf Wednesday night to extend its unbeaten streak to eight on the season. The Gusties (8-0, 3-0 MIAC) got points from 12 different players to lead an offense that shot 42.9 percent. 

The Oles (5-4, 0-3 MIAC) jumped out to an early lead and maintained it through the first quarter, but the Gusties outscored the visitors 45-16 in the second and third frames to reassert their dominance and take control of the game. Head Coach Laurie Kelly was able to get 18 different players into the game, including a pair of collegiate debuts for Jordyn Williams (Fy., Garretson, S.D.) and Ella Granda (Fy., Austin, Texas).

The first four minutes of the game were relatively uneventful, as both teams struggled to make shots, combining to go just 2-for-9 from the field, with both baskets belonging to the Oles. St. Olaf's Paige Yagodinski posted seven first quarter points to help her team to a nine-point scoring run, leading the Oles' to a four point advantage over the home team at the end of the first quarter, 16-12. 

The quick break shook the nationally-ranked Gusties back into place, as a Kylie Baranick (Sr., Maple Grove, Minn.) three-pointer inspired a 17-5 run in the second quarter. Her efforts from long range gave the Gusties the lead for good, as the senior went 3-for-3 from three for nine second quarter points. Gustavus forced 10 STO turnovers, holding the Oles to 1-for-8 shooting in the second 10 minutes, with three of their five points coming from the line. The tandem of Baranick and Rachel Kawiecki (Sr., Richfield, Minn.) put the game out of reach, as Kawiecki went 4-for-5 for eight points to end the half with the Gusties up, 31-21.

Emma Kniefel (5th, Medford, Minn.) was the difference-maker in the third quarter, as the Gusties' top scorer – who was held to only two points in the first half – posted 11 points after the half on 5-for-7 shooting. She collected a pair of steals to lead the defense, which forced an additional seven Ole turnovers, holding the visitors to just one made three-pointer on eight attempts. Kniefel added a buzzer-beater – her second of the season – at the end of the third quarter for a 57-32 Gustie lead heading into the fourth.

St. Olaf out-scored the Gusties 14-12 in the final quarter, but still shot below 40 percent, while the Gusties went 6-for-15 with 10 points off the bench. The team built its lead to as many 30 before closing things out, 69-46, for their third conference victory in as many games. 

Gustavus shot 42.9 percent from the field, putting up a season-high 70 shots. Free throw shooting was far below the team's average, making just five of 11 attempts, while Baranick led the team's three-point effort, sinking three of the team's four made from beyond the arc.

The Gusties collected 24 points off 25 St. Olaf turnovers and 14 off 12 offensive rebounds. Gustavus out-scored St. Olaf in the paint 36-22 and added 12 fast break points.

Kniefel led all scorers with 15 points, in just 20 minutes nonetheless, followed by Baranick with 14 and Kawiecki with 10. Nine other Gusties scored in the victory, with Morgan Kelly (Sr., Saint Peter, Minn.) posting eight off the bench. Izzy Quick (5th, Brooklyn Park, Minn.) collected a team-high seven rebounds, while Kniefel led the way with a trio of steals. First-year Anna Goodman (Lakeville, Minn.) dished out a game-high three assists. 

Chloee Smith led the Oles, who finished shooting 31.9 percent (15-for-47), with 14 points. St. Olaf struggled from three, making four of 18 attempts (22.2 percent), but sunk 12-of-17 free throws. 

The Gusties have just two games left in the calendar year, hosting Northwestern-St. Paul (3-3 overall) Saturday at 1 p.m. and Bethany Lutheran (1-7 overall) on Dec. 30 to wrap up their non-conference schedule.
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