SAINT PETER, Minn. - Coming off its first conference loss in over a year, the Gustavus women's basketball team got back on track with a decisive 96-66 win over Saint Benedict on Saturday. The Gusties improve to 20-2 overall and 16-1 in the MIAC, while the Bennies drop to 13-9 overall and 11-6 in the league. 

Gustavus jumped out to a 9-2 lead in the first three minutes of the game and never looked back. The home team led 22-12 after the first quarter and continued to add to its lead the rest of the way. The Gusties shot over 70 percent in each of the last three quarters and finished the game at 69.1 percent, crushing the program record for single game shooting percentage, which was set earlier this season (67.2) against St. Scholastica. 

The Gusties controlled play down on the blocks, out-rebounding the Bennies 32-16, and made double-digit three-pointers (10-18) for just the fourth time this season. 

Emma Kniefel led the offense with 16 points on 7-of-12 shooting. She added six rebounds and had a game-high six assists. Syd Hauger led the team with seven rebounds and added 15 points. Fourteen different players scored with all 17 getting in the game. 

Gustavus will host Augsburg at 5:30 p.m. in a game that was postponed Jan. 20 due to unplayable court conditions. The game will pick up where it left off with the Gusties leading 24-5 at the 8:11 mark of the second quarter. 
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