SAINT PETER, Minn. - Gustavus fifth-year forward
Evan Wieker had a career day Saturday, shooting a perfect 12-for-12 from the field to match a career-high 30 points as Gustavus men's basketball rolled to a 112-76 victory over St. Scholastica. The Gusties improve to 11-3 overall and remain unbeaten in the MIAC at 5-0.Â
Wieker got the scoring started with a pair of free throws on the Gusties' first possession of the game and never looked back. The Gusties jumped out to an 11-0 lead before the Saints scored their first points at the 16:16 mark. Gustavus continued to shoot lights out in the opening half, going on a 26-7 run, capped by a three from Wieker at the 8:29 mark for a 35-9 advantage - the largest of the first half.Â
The Saints responded well in the final minutes of the opening frame, going on a 21-6 run to close the gap to 11 points with 2:13 left in the half.
Myles Barnette made a couple jumpers to close out the scoring for the Gusties as they took a 45-32 lead into the locker room.Â
After exchanging baskets in the first two minutes of the second, the Gusties got things rolling by scoring nine straight points, thanks to field goals from
Adam Biewen, Wieker, and
Spencer Swanson for a 61-40 lead at the 16:12 mark. The home squad continued to add to its lead, taking its largest advantage of 38 points on a jumper by Barnette with 8:12 left in the game. The Gusties maintained a 30-point-plus lead for the rest of the game as Head Coach
Justin DeGrood was able to clear his bench and get 15 players time on the court.Â
Gustavus tallied season-highs in points (112), field goals made (44), field goal attempts (67), three-point field goals made (15), assists (23), and blocked shots (5). The Gusties also shot a season-best 65.7 percent from the floor, including 62.5 percent from long range (second highest this season).Â
Not to be overshadowed by Wieker's 30-point performance,
Jake Schmitt was also perfect from the floor, shooting 6-for-6 - all from beyond the arc - for a career-high 18 points. Barnette added 14 points, Biewen contributed 13 points, while Swanson chipped in 11 points, moving into 10th place in the program's all-time career scoring list. Swanson now has 1,394 career points, passing Jay Coatta (1983-87) for 10th place. Swanson also hauled in a game-high 10-rebounds for his second double-double of the season.Â
"Overall a really nice effort for the fellas today," DeGrood said. "I was really pleased with the offensive production of the group. Outside of the "second quarter" where we turned it over too much it was a joy to watch our guys execute, share and play aggressive. All staples for our program. We had a lot of terrific individual moments today. Evan was incredibly efficient today and I'm really proud of how he was intelligently aggressive and pulled all the right strings within our flow and structure. 12 for 12 from the floor is special and he deserved it. I was also really pleased with the second half performances from Myles and Jake. Myles really set the table for us with his perimeter defense and was a catalyst for our transition game as a passer and attacker. Jake really found his rhythm shooting with five second half threes that seemed to really open up the difference in the second. As I highlight those three guys, we always talk about it taking everyone and our group knows that. I'm proud of all of them and the spirit and energy they competed with."
Gustavus next travels to Saint Mary's on Wednesday evening.Â
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