SAINT PETER, Minn. - Starting a game with a 19-point lead is highly unusual, but the Gustavus women's basketball team had that unique advantage Monday night and turned it into a 75-50 victory over Augsburg. The game started with the Gusties leading 24-5 with 8:11 left in the second quarter because of a mid-game postponement on Jan. 20 due to unplayable court conditions. 

Augsburg started the resumed game on an 11-4 run, cutting the deficit to 12 points at 28-16, but the Gusties were able to maintain a double digit lead at halftime, up 37-22. Gustavus was then able to put the game out of reach in the third quarter, outscoring the Auggies 19-9 thanks largely in part to Emma Kniefel scoring eight points on 4-of-5 shooting in the frame. Head Coach Laurie Kelly was able to clear her bench in the fourth quarter as both teams scored 19 points. 

"Obviously it was a strange situation playing a 28 minute game," Kelly said. "I wasn't happy with how we finished that last eight minutes before the half. We responded really well in the third quarter and played Gustie basketball. It was fun to see a lot of different people on the score sheet. And now we're 80 minutes away form clinching a second title and that's our focus looking forward."

Kniefel finished with a game-high 16 points, including 5-for-5 from the free throw line, while adding five rebounds, four assists, three steals, and a block. Syd Hauger, Rachel Kawiecki, and Morgan Kelly contributed 10 points apiece, while Izzy Quick hauled in a game-high 13 rebounds. 

The Gusties defense limited the Auggies to 27.3 percent shooting and out-rebounded the visitors 37-22. 

Gustavus next hosts Saint Mary's on Wednesday night. 
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