SAINT PETER, Minn. - As the saying goes, "the best defense is a good offense," and that certainly was the case for the Gustavus men's basketball team in a decisive 97-78 win over Bethel on Saturday. Gustavus extends its win streak to four games and remains tied at the top of the MIAC standings with Saint John's at 7-0. 

Bethel entered the game as the top scoring team in the MIAC with an average of 80.1 points per game, and while the Royals nearly matched their season average, the Gustie offense shot an efficient 54.5 percent, including 48.1 percent from long range, while scoring more than 90 points for the fourth time this season. 

Six different Gusties reached double digit scoring, let by Wyatt Olson for the second straight game. Olson shot 8-for-11 for 19 points, while adding five rebounds, five assists, and two steals. Spencer Swanson added 13 points and a game-high nine rebounds. Carson Koch and Myles Barnette each contributed 12 points, while Jake Schmitt added 10 off the bench. 

"It was fun to watch our guys compete today," said Head Coach Justin DeGrood. "It was clear to me that the focus and energy was high and everyone fed off of one another. My favorite combination of statistics was the assist to turnover ratio (25:6). It is a good representation of what I felt live. The ball didn't stick, the guys handled doubles well, and all that mattered was Gustavus getting a great shot. On the other end all five played and rotated as one and did a nice job of making a tremendous Bethel offense work hard for their shots."

Bethel held the early lead until Brady Kienitz hit a three-pointer at the 16:44 mark, giving the Gusties an 8-7 advantage. There were nine lead changes and three ties before Koch sunk a trey at the 12:10 mark for a 20-18 lead and the Gusties held the advantage the rest of the game.

Leading by five points midway through the first half, a three-pointer by Eli Wolff sparked a 25-9 Gustie run to end the half. Gustavus carried a 54-38 lead into the break. 

Olson continued the momentum right away on the first Gustie possession of the second half, hitting a three, followed by a steal and a fast break dunk. The second half was all Gustavus as it didn't allow Bethel within 17 points the entire half and led by as much as 25 points four different times. 

The Gusties forced 12 turnovers, resulting in 22 points. The Gustie bench also out-scored the Royal bench 44-19. 

Gustavus travels to Hamline on Wednesday. 
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