SAINT PETER, Minn. - For the third straight season, the Gustavus women's basketball team is in the NCAA Division III tournament. This season, the Gusties (25-2) hope to get past the first two rounds as they start regional play 5 p.m. Friday against Trine University (21-7) in Oshkosh, Wis. The winner has a date with the winner of UW-Oshkosh (22-5) and Webster University (27-0) at 7:30 p.m. Saturday with a trip to the Sweet 16 on the line. 

GUSTIES IN THE NCAA TOURNAMENT

The Gusties are set to make their third straight NCAA tournament appearance and 10th overall (1991, 95, 2003, 07, 08, 17, 18, 22, 23, 24). In NCAA tournament games, the Gusties hold an all-time record of 4-9. Last season, after earning the conference's automatic qualifier to the national tournament, the Gusties defeated Ohio Wesleyan 84-68 before falling to host UW-Whitewater 68-63 in the second round. The furthest the Gusties have made it in the NCAA tournament was during the 2017-18 season when they upset UW-Whitewater in Whitewater by a score of 74-60, advancing to the Sweet 16, before coming up short against Thomas More 75-67 in the sectional round. 

THE SERIES

Gustavus and Trine will face each other for the first time in program history. Trine is a member of the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAA). Gustavus has also never face UW-Oshkosh (WIAC) or Webster (SLIAC). 

NATIONAL RANKS

The Gusties enter the NCAA tourney ranked No. 5 in Division III by d3hoops.com and No. 7 in the Women's Basketball Coaches Association Top 25 poll. After 27 games this season, the Gusties are one of the best statistical teams in the country. They rank third in field goal percentage (48.5), seventh in winning percentage (92.6), eighth in scoring margin (+24.6), ninth in assists per game (18.4), 12th in scoring defense (50.3), 15th in rebound margin (+10.6), 18th in assist/turnover ratio (1.21), and 28th in scoring offense (74.9). 

FAB FIVE

The Gustavus start five were all named MIAC All-Conference this week, marking the first time in conference history that five players from the same school were named All-Conference. 

    Emma Kniefel, who claimed her third consecutive All-Conference nod, also earned MIAC Defensive Player of the Year after helping the Gusties lead the league with an opponent scoring averaging 50.3 points per game (12th/NCAA DIII) and +10.6 rebound margin (15th/NCAA). Kniefel leads the team in scoring (11.7 ppg), three-pointers made (26-80), and steals (60). Playing in all 27 games this season, Kniefel averages 24.9 minutes per game, shoots 46.9 percent from the field, 76.6 percent from the free throw line, averages 4.0 rebounds per game, and has 92 assists. 

    Kylie Baranick earned her second consecutive All-MIAC honor. Baranick leads the league with 103 assists (3.8 per game) and assist/turnover ratio (2.3). Baranick averages a team-high 27.6 minutes per game and has played in all 27 games. She shoots 41.3 percent from the field and averages 7.8 points per game. Baranick also shoots a team-high 85.5 percent from the free throw line.

    Syd Hauger earned her first All-Conference award after leading the team with a 65.2 field goal percentage, which would rank second in Division III if she met the qualifying standard of at least five made per game. She has a team-high 53.5 three-point percentage (23-43), which would rank first in the county if she met the qualifying standard of at least two made per game. Hauger's 11.7 points per game are tied for the team lead. She also averages 3.9 rebounds per game, is second on the team with 58 steals, and has 49 assists. 

    Rachel Kawiecki picked up her second straight All-MIAC award after averaging 11.3 points and 4.3 rebounds per game. Kawiecki is shooting 58.5 percent from the field, which would rank eighth in the country if she met the qualifying standard. Kawiecki shoots 68.9 percent from the free throw line, has 58 assists, 33 steals, and is second on the team with 20 blocks. 

    Izzy Quick earned her first All-Conference nod after leading the team with 169 rebounds (6.3 per game), which ranks seventh in the MIAC. Quick averages 7.3 points per game and shoots 62.4 percent from the field, which would rank third in the country if she met the qualifying standard. Quick has 55 assists, 30 steals, and 13 blocks.  

SCOUTING THE THUNDER

Trine earned an automatic berth to the national tourney by winning the MIAA Tournament, upsetting No. 9 Hope College 63-59 in the championship game. The Thunder have won their past five games and eight of the last nine. Through 28 games, the Thunder average 67.2 points, shoot 41.2 percent from the field, 30 percent from three-point range, average 36.5 rebounds, and allow 54.1 points per game. Sidney Wagner is clearly the top player, averaging 15.4 points while shooting 43.2 percent from the floor. Wagner also leads the team with 6.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 2.4 steals per game. Sierra Hinds is next with 9.6 points per game.