SAINT PETER, Minn. – Gustavus fifth-year guard Emma Kniefel (Medford, Minn.) was named to the D3hoops.com National Team of the Week for the second time this season on Tuesday, Dec. 3.

In the team's only game in the shortened holiday week, Kniefel led the nationally-ranked Gusties to a 78-72 victory over previously undefeated Colorado College (6-1 overall). After the Gusties started the game down eight points on 4-for-19 first quarter shooting, Kniefel hit a buzzer beater three-pointer at the end of the quarter to reset the momentum. The team shot 52.2 percent from that point on.

Kniefel finished the game with a team-high 21 points on 8-for-17 shooting from the field. She hit three three-pointers to contribute to 13 total for the team, a new season-high and two shy of the program record. She added a trio of rebounds, seven assists, two steals, and a block, and drew four fouls. Her 21 points were three short of her season high set against UW-Eau Claire in the second game of the season. 

Kniefel is leading the talented women's basketball squad in six categories: points (70), field goals made (28), three-pointers made (10), assists (15), minutes (162), and assist turnover ratio (15.00). With only one turnover this season, Kniefel also leads all of collegiate women's basketball (any division) with the best assist turnover ratio in the country.

Kniefel, who was named the MIAC Offensive Player of the Week on Monday, Dec. 2, also received the national honor on Nov. 19 following her 1,000th career point and a trio of impressive wins to start the season. She is the third player in program history to receive the honor, joining now Assistant Coach Angie (Peterson) Potts '04 HOF '19 and Jess Vadnais '08 HOF '23. Kniefel and Vadnais are now the only two players in Gustavus women's basketball history to receive the award more than once. 

The Gusties enter conference play on Wednesday, Dec. 4 against Augsburg (1-3 overall) at Gus Young Court. The MIAC opener will be the first game in a five-game home-stand for Gustavus, featuring a match-up against league rival Concordia (3-2 overall) Saturday and the conclusion of the team's non-conference schedule. Concordia dropped out of the latest D3hoops.com poll after being ranked No. 23 in week one.