SAINT PETER, Minn. — Facing a hot Concordia team that had just upset league-leading Saint John's two nights before, the Gustavus men's basketball team had a tall order ahead of them in Moorhead. However, the 260-mile drive was well worth the trip, as the Gusties picked up their 11th conference victory, 65-44 over the Cobbers.
After trading baskets on possessions for the opening minutes, the Gusties used a nine-point run to separate themselves from the Cobbers, 23-14, and never relinquished the lead. The Gusties shot well below their season average in the first half, posting a mark of 37.5 percent in the first 20. Fortunately for Gustavus, the Cobbers suffered the same fate on their home court, shooting a meager 25.9 percent in the first (7-for-27). A
Brady Kienitz 3-pointer sent the visitors to the locker room with a nine point lead, 28-19.
Concordia cut the lead to two points after the half, but a run of 14 points on 70 percent shooting built the Gustie lead to double-digits to dash any Cobber comeback hopes. 13 second half points out of the hands of
Spencer Swanson helped the team to a lead of as many as 24 late in the game, rounding out the victory 65-44. Stout defense held the Cobbers to just eight from the field in the second half, including just one from long-range.
Gustavus finished shooting 46.7 percent from the field (28-for-60) including a mark of 57.14 percent in the second half, while the Cobbers shot a dismal 28 percent on the game (14-for-50).
Brady Kienitz was once again one of the Gusties' top point-getters, scoring 19 on 8-for-13 shooting.
Spencer Swanson matched Kienitz with 19 of his own, and completed the double-double with 12 boards to lead the team.
The Gusties, with only four games left in the regular season, host the Johnnies — who recently claimed the MIAC regular season title — Saturday afternoon at Gus Young Court.
