SAINT PETER, Minn. – No. 6 women's basketball picked up its 13th consecutive victory Saturday afternoon, defeating St. Scholastica 76-41 at Gus Young Court. Three Gusties put up double digits, as the team shot a season-high 54.4 percent (31-for-57) from the field.
After a relatively slow start, Gustavus held the Saints to just five points in both the second and fourth quarters, dominating the paint and forcing 26 CSS turnovers for 27 points. Scholastica (7-6, 4-2 MIAC) shot 50 percent in the first and third, but made only one shot from the floor in each of the opposite frames, shooting just 29.5 percent (13-for-44) overall. The victory marked the third time this season the Gusties have held an opponent to less than 15 made shots in a game.
Both teams missed a pair of attempts on their opening possessions, playing nearly two minutes of scoreless basketball before the Saints took their only lead with the first points of the game.
Syd Hauger (5th, Springfield, Minn.) came right back the other way with a layup of her own to even the score and get the wheels rolling for the home team. CSS tied things up once more, 8-8, but points from six different Gusties closed out quarter one with an 11-6 run for a 19-14 lead.
Gustavus, which ranks ninth in NCAA Division III in scoring defense (47.3 points allowed per game), showcased its defensive prowess in the second quarter, forcing six Saints turnovers and holding Scholastica to a mark of 1-for-10 from the floor. Hauger scored four to start the frame with an 8-0 run, while
Kylie Baranick (Sr., Maple Grove, Minn.) added four of her own just before half to put her team up 35-19 at the break.
Scholastica had its best performance in the third quarter, scoring 17 on the nationally-ranked Gusties, but the Saints had no answer for
Rachel Kawiecki (Sr., Richfield, Minn.), who drew three fouls, hauled in a trio of rebounds, and scored six of her own after halftime. Gustavus went 9-for-16 (56.3 percent) and scored 12 in the paint for a 58-36 lead heading into the final frame.
The fourth quarter featured points from eight different Gusties, as Head Coach
Laurie Kelly was able to work six more players into the lineup. Kelly's Gusties forced seven turnovers, collected four steals, and shot 8-for-14 in the final 10 minutes to seal the 76-41 victory.
Both teams grabbed 26 rebounds off the glass, but the Gusties out-scored CSS 46-16 in the paint. The Gusties attempted just six shots from beyond the arc, making two, but went 12-for-15 (80 percent) from the line. Scholastica's bench scored 27 of their 41 points, finishing 4-for-16 (25 percent) from three and 11-for-17 (64.7 percent) from the charity stripe.
Hauger led all scorers with 18 points on 8-for-13 shooting, just one point shy of her career-best. She added four rebounds, an assist, and a pair of steals on the day. Kawiecki and
Emma Kniefel (5th, Medford, Minn.) also added double-digit performances, with 14 and 11 points, respectively. Kawiecki drew seven fouls and pulled down five boards to lead all players Saturday afternoon, while
Anna Goodman (Fy., Lakeville, Minn.) dished out six assists and collected a trio of steals to lead the Gusties.
Lexi Imdieke was the only Saint in double figures, scoring 10 on 3-for-8 shooting off the bench.
The Gusties continue their conference schedule at Saint Mary's next Wednesday, Jan. 15, heading to Winona for a 7:30 p.m. tip-off against the Cardinals (6-6, 4-2 MIAC).
