SAINT PETER, Minn. — The Gustavus men's basketball team dominated on both sides of the court against Augsburg Monday night, rolling to a 90-66 MIAC win at Gus Young Court. The Gusties shot 52.3 percent as a team behind a career performance from Brady Kienitz to improve to 13-10 overall and 12-6 in the MIAC. 

Head Coach Justin DeGrood couldn't have asked for a better start after tip, as his team rolled to a quick 9-0 advantage in just 1:32 of play to start the game. Kienitz certainly inspired this quick lead, scoring seven of the team's nine opening points. An early timeout helped the Auggies respond, though, going on a seven point scoring run of their own to cut the home team lead within three early in the half. But the Auggies were no match for the one-two punch of Kienitz and Spencer Swanson, who helped the team extend the advantage to over 20 points on lights-out shooting in the first. Swanson picked up 14 points and hauled in four rebounds, while Kienitz shot 6-for-7 for 16 to give the Gusties a 54-32 lead heading into halftime. 

Both teams slowed things down after the break, with only four points scored in the first five minutes, all out of the hands of the Gusties. Augsburg flipped the script on Gustavus in the next seven minutes, shooting 7-for-8 with three made from downtown, but the early Gustie lead combined with six points from Evan Wieker and three steals from Jonah Anderson maintained the advantage for the home team, who cleared their bench to close things out 90-66.

The Gusties dominated the stat sheet in nearly every category, outrebounding the Auggies 33-24, forcing 18 Augsburg turnovers to their nine, and doubling the visitors' points in the paint with 40. Kienitz had a career night, finishing with just two misses on 11 attempts from the floor for a collegiate-best 23 points. Swanson was in his original form, totaling 16 points and seven rebounds, while Wyatt Olson chipped in 11 to the team's total.

The Gusties have just two regular season games remaining, heading to Saint Mary's Wednesday night before hosting Hamline Saturday in a game that will certainly determine the final MIAC standings heading into postseason play. 
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