SAINT PETER, Minn. — For the first time since 2005, the Gustavus men's basketball team emerged victorious in the MIAC Playoff Championship, winning a thrilling 72-71 game in front of a full crowd at Gus Young Court. The Gusties, who strung together a series of close finishes in their prior two playoff games, saved the best for last, treating fans to an epic finish, which earns the team an automatic-bid into the NCAA Division III Men's Basketball Tournament.
Hamline took the lead after tip-off, going 4-for-4 in the opening three minutes for a quick 10-5 start over the Gusties. But, as they have been all season, Head Coach
Justin DeGrood's squad was prepared for the fight.
Eight points out of the hands of
Brady Kienitz brought the Gusties back into the game, with a one point lead halfway through the first frame. Kienitz's shooting snowballed into momentum for the Gusties, who closed out the half with a 21-12 run over the Pipers, forcing three turnovers and holding Hamline's star shooter Bradley Cimperman to just two points.
Wyatt Olson put up eight points and Kienitz hit a three to end the half with a 10-point Gustie lead.
Gustavus began to run away with the lead after halftime, building it to as many as 16, but in true MIAC fashion, the Pipers couldn't be counted out. With the Gusties struggling to make shots down the stretch, Hamline took advantage of their cold shooting, going 7-for-9 heading into the last minute of play. HU's Cimperman made a layup to bring the score within one with 1:07 on the clock and the conference title on the line. The Gusties missed four shots in the last minute of play, putting the ball back in the hands of the Pipers with just eight seconds remaining. Cimperman had a chance to beat the buzzer like he had just a few days earlier against Saint John's, but ultimately came up short, sealing the victory for the Gusties, 72-71.
Spencer Swanson led four Gustie scorers in double-digits with 17 points on 7-for-16 shooting. Swanson earned another double-double, picking up 10 rebounds, seven of which came on the offensive end of the court. Kienitz was next with 16, while
Wyatt Olson added 12 and
Evan Wieker posted 10 in the victory. The team shot below their season average with a mark of 40.0 percent from the field, but got 17 second chance points and 20 points off turnovers to earn the victory.
The playoff title is the tenth for the Gusties, having previously won in 1987, 1989, 1992, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2003, 2004, and 2005. Only St. Thomas (13) has won more MIAC men's basketball playoff titles than Gustavus. The men's basketball win capped an incredible day for Gustie Athletics, complete with two MIAC Playoff Championships, three MIAC postseason wins, and a total of six team victories.
The Gusties will make their 14th appearance in the NCAA Tournament and first since 2012 next weekend, and will await the NCAA Selection Show on Monday at 12 p.m. for their schedule and bracket.
