SAINT PETER, Minn. – Gustavus men's basketball shot lights out on Saturday night, defeating No. 18 UW-Platteville at home, 87-72. The Gusties shot 54.0% from the floor and avenged losses in all five other matchups between the teams, including losses in three of the last four years. 

In the first half, the Gusties looked to multiple players to light a spark offensively and found high school classmates Jake Schmitt (Jr., Plymouth, Minn.) and Myles Barnette (Jr., Maple Grove, Minn.) to do just that. Schmitt started hot, giving the Gusties an early 11-2 lead just 3:33 into the game with a three pointer and extended it up to 14-4 with another less than a minute later. Schmitt made three from behind the arc in the first half and added a layup and three free throws after being fouled shooting a corner three to bring his total to 14. Barnette on the other hand, was more consistent throughout the first half, finding the basket with three layups and four free throws sprinkled throughout the half to make his impact with 10. Both teams shot high clips, with Gustavus shooting 48.4% from the field and the Pioneers shooting 45.8%, but the Gusties used six three pointers, compared to UW-Platteville's three to create the margin. 

In the second half, Andrew Quam (So., Lakeville, Minn.) activated his takeover setting, scoring 21 points himself to bring his total to 28. This sense of takeover echoed throughout the whole team, who shot 19-for-32 (59.4%) from the floor to put the game out of reach. Barnette put his own exclamation point on the game when he dunked over a Pioneer, sending Gus Young Court into a frenzy and putting the Gusties up 17 points. Schmitt continued to provide, adding two deep three pointers to put the game on ice. The group of Quam, Schmitt, Barnette, and Eli Wolff (Sr., Adams, Minn.) accounted for 74 of the Gusties' 87 points, showing the depth across the starting five. There was no single run that set the Gusties and Pioneers apart, but instead small runs of four or five, coupled by a stop on the defensive end, that created the margin for Gustavus in the matchup. 

Schmitt added seven rebounds to his offensive performance, including three offensively to help contribute to the Gusties' 10 total offensive rebounds and 27 rebounds overall. Drawing attention driving into the paint, Barnette was able to dish out five assists to teammates as well. 

As a team, the Gusties made 34 shots, a season high to help separate themselves from the Pioneers and also forced 12 turnovers. Gustavus never trailed after being down 2-0, holding the lead for 38:09 compared to UW-Platteville's 0:25. 

The Gusties are back in action on Tuesday at home, when they host Minnesota Morris, scheduled for a 7:00 p.m. tipoff.