SAINT PAUL, Minn. - In a tightly contested battle throughout, the Gustavus men's basketball team made a number of clutch shots down the stretch in a 63-58 win at Hamline on Wednesday evening. The Gusties improve to 14-3 overall with their fifth straight win, and have started the MIAC schedule 8-0 for the first time since the 1995-96 season. 

"We have a phrase that we often discuss, find a way," said Head Coach Justin DeGrood. "I thought tonight's game embodied that to the fullest. The season is long and there will be a plethora of different types of games played and I thought tonight was an absolute rock fight. There wasn't anything all that pretty about it but it was a tremendous battle and effort by both teams."

The first half was a low scoring affair as both teams shot under 37 percent. The Gusties held a slim 26-22 lead at halftime after trading the lead three times. 

Gustavus went up by six on its first possession of the second half, but the Pipers rallied with a 10-3 run, taking a 34-33 lead at the 11:43 mark. The lead changed sides five more times over the next four minutes, but a three-pointer by Carson Koch gave the visitors the lead for good with five minutes remaining in the game. 

Every possession was a battle in the final minutes of the game as the Pipers got within two points four different times, but each time the Gusties had an answer. Spencer Swanson was key down the stretch. After Hamline made a three to come within two points at the 1:35 mark, Swanson answered on the other end with a layup. The Pipers punched back with a pair of free throws to make the difference two points once again, but Swanson nailed a clutch three-pointer on the ensuing possession to regain a five-point advantage with 31 second left. The Gustie defense then came up clutch, forcing three missed shots from long range in the final 15 seconds. 

"We were fortunate to earn the victory and I felt like our poise down the stretch and team defense throughout was a difference maker," DeGrood said. "Hamline answered with some massive shots and our guys really stayed in the moment. Swanny was exceptional down the stretch quarterbacking the offense and made the right play time after time in the last five minutes, scoring and assisting. A number of guys hit some big time shots in the closing minutes on a night when it was difficult to muster points. Complete team result."

Swanson led the offense with 16 points and four assists. He also grabbed seven rebounds and two steals. Brady Kienitz was next with 13 points, including a perfect 3-for-3 from long range. Koch added 10 points off the bench. Wyatt Olson led the team with eight rebounds on the defensive end, while the team out-boarded the Pipers 42-34. 

Gustavus continues conference play on the road Saturday afternoon at Concordia. 
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