SAINT PETER, Minn. – The No. 6 Gustavus women's basketball team suffered its first loss of the season at the hands of Bethel University, falling 72-58 to the Royals (12-3, 8-0 MIAC) at Gus Young Court on Saturday, Jan. 18.
Bethel took an 11-point lead after the first quarter and the Gusties never caught up, unable to overcome the early deficit throughout the game. The Royals shot 51.2 percent (21-for-41) from the field, while the Gusties were just 16-for-46 (34.8 percent), their third-lowest mark of the season. Gustavus (14-1, 7-1 MIAC), which has shot perfect from the free throw line twice this season, missed nine attempts from the charity stripe, going 19-for-28 (67.9 percent), and hit 7-of-18 attempted three-pointers.
Bethel took a 10-point lead at 12-2, hitting 4-of-5 shots to open the game, as well as forcing three uncharacteristic turnovers on the No. 6 Gusties. The Gustie starters began to chip away at the lead late in the frame, but shot only 4-for-12 (33.3 percent) in the opening 10 minutes for a 21-10 Bethel advantage.
Both teams went an even 16-16 in the second frame, with shots finally falling for the home team, who got eight points out of the hands of
Kylie Baranick (Sr., Maple Grove, Minn.) on 2-for-3 shooting from behind the arc. The Gusties cut the lead to five on a
Rachel Kawiecki (Sr., Richfield, Minn.) free throw, but the Royals responded every step of the way for a 37-26 lead at the half.
Bethel pulled away in the third quarter, shooting 7-for-13 (53.8 percent) from the floor with two made from distance and all four free throws made, and held the home team to a meager 2-for-10 after intermission. The Gusties struggled to pick up crucial points down the stretch, missing four free throws in the third quarter. Despite the Royal momentum,
Izzy Quick (5th, Brooklyn Park, Minn.) hauled in a trio of boards, drew three fouls, and posted six points in the third frame in the hopes of mustering up a Gustavus comeback in the fourth.
The Gusties out-scored Bethel 18-15 in the fourth quarter, but it wasn't nearly enough to overcome the 17-point deficit. Despite a Gustie clip of 45.5 percent (5-for-11) in the last 10 minutes, Bethel hit 11 free throws and two from behind the arc to close things out, dealing the nationally-ranked Gusties their first loss of the season, 72-58.
Bethel took advantage of Gustavus turnovers, capitalizing for 25 points, as well as 28 points in the paint, and 22 off the bench to lead in every category. Saturday marked the first game all season the Gusties didn't haul in any offensive rebounds, as all 19 came on the defensive end of the court. Bethel collected 24 to out-rebound the home team, with three offensive and 21 defensive boards.
Baranick, Quick, and
Emma Kniefel (5th, Medford, Minn.) all scored in double digits, with 15, 14, and 12, respectively. Quick nearly completed the double-double, leading all players with eight rebounds. She also drew seven fouls, dished out an assist, and collected a steal. Nine of Baranick's 15 came from three-point-land, and she added a game-high three steals to her stat line Saturday night. Both Kniefel and Kawiecki fouled out of the game.
Bethel's Elly Schmitz led all scorers with 19 points on 6-for-10 shooting, while Emily Erickson went 7-for-10 off the bench for 17 points.
The Gusties continue conference play Wednesday, Jan. 22 at Hamline (11-4, 6-2 MIAC).
