SAINT PETER, Minn. – In an early match-up between the MIAC's top-two teams, the No. 9-ranked Gustavus women's basketball team defeated Concordia-Moorhead 57-42 at Gus Young Court on Saturday afternoon. The Gusties (7-0, 2-0 MIAC) and the Cobbers (2-4, 0-2 MIAC) have met in the last two MIAC Playoff Championships, developing a rivalry in a chase for the top spot in the conference.
Concordia took the court having lost its last three and falling out of the national rankings, but brought its very best to start, leading early in the first quarter and going shot-for-shot with the Gusties to tie the game at 13-13 at the end of the first 10 minutes. Nine points out of the hands of
Emma Kniefel (5th, Medford, Minn.) and relentless defense held the Cobbers to 3-for-13 shooting in the second quarter, though, helping the Gusties pull away for the remainder of the game.
Gustavus shot 45.7 percent from the field but just 20 percent from beyond the arc, making only two of 10 attempted three-pointers. The Gusties made up the difference at the line, though, converting on 13-of-19 free throws. Concordia, meanwhile, went a meager 32 percent from the floor, a season-low for the Cobbers, shooting below 30 percent in both the second and third quarters.
The lead changed seven times in the first quarter, with neither team taking more than a three-point advantage. The Cobbers, who entered the game leading the nation in three-point shooting (42.3 percent), hit three treys off the bat to gain some momentum after the long bus ride, but each time they were met with a Gustie response. Kniefel and
Morgan Kelly (Sr., Saint Peter, Minn.) led the team through the first frame on nearly perfect shooting to tie things up at 13 apiece heading into the second quarter.
The Gusties showcased their defensive prowess in the second quarter, holding Concordia to 3-for-13 shooting (23.1 percent), preventing the Cobbers from hitting any from deep, as well as forcing seven turnovers, and drawing four fouls. Kniefel went 4-for-6 from the field for nine points, missing all of her three-point attempts, but was still able to extend the Gustie lead to five at the break, 27-22.
It was more of the same after the break, as a balanced offensive attack, this time led by
Izzy Quick (5th, Brooklyn Park, Minn.), extended the Gustie lead to as many as 14 in the third quarter. Concordia struggled to defend the Gusties, who went 5-for-8 in the third frame. Gustavus collected eight points off nine turnovers to double the score of the Cobbers 14-7 and put the game nearly out of reach.
Concordia's best performance came in the fourth quarter, shooting 5-for-10 with a pair of three-pointers, but it was far too little and far too late, as the Gusties outlasted the Cobbers to earn their second MIAC victory of the week.
Kniefel once again led the Gustie offense, this time with 19 total points on 8-for-13 shooting.
Rachel Kawiecki (Sr., Richfield, Minn.) was next, posting 10 points on 4-for-6 shooting. Quick led the rebounding efforts with eight, four offensive and four defensive, while Kniefel posted a game-high six steals.
Concordia's Jordyn Kahler collected 16 points to lead the Cobbers, while Makayla Anderson picked up six rebounds for the opposition.
The Gusties won the battle of the boards, 28-25, 10 of which came on the offensive end of the court. Gustavus collected 20 points off turnovers compared to eight for the Cobbers, and dominated the paint with 28 points against 14 for Concordia.
Gustavus continues its home stand Wednesday night, hosting St. Olaf (5-3, 0-2 MIAC) at 7:30 p.m. for a conference match-up at Gus Young Court.
