AURORA, Ill. – The Gustavus Adolphus College men's basketball team continued its strong start to the 2025-26 season with a decisive 96-49 victory over Rockford University at the Mickey Johnson Tip-Off Classic, hosted by Aurora University on Saturday afternoon in Aurora, Illinois. Senior wing
Carson Koch led the Gusties with 17 points and nine rebounds.
Gustavus came out firing, establishing a quick 21-5 lead midway through the first half, fueled by six points each from senior forward
Connor Beauchamp and Koch. The Gusties maintained their double-digit lead throughout the half and went into the locker room with a 35-23 advantage. The team shot 38.7 percent (12-of-31) from the field, 14.3 percent from three-point range (2-of-14), and 69.2 percent from the free-throw line (9-of-13).
In the second half, Gustavus continued to build its lead, expanding the margin to 33 points at 64-31 with 10:41 remaining. The bench played a significant role in the victory, contributing 45 points, including 15 from Beauchamp. The Gusties shot a remarkable 75 percent from the field (21-of-28) and 71.4 percent from beyond the arc (10-of-14) in the second half.
Four Gustavus players finished the game in double figures: Koch with 17 points, Beauchamp with 15,
Myles Barnette with 13, and
Jake Schmitt with 11. Overall, the Gusties shot 55.9 percent from the field (33-of-59), 42.9 percent from three-point range (12-of-28), and 69.2 percent from the free-throw line (18-of-26).
Gustavus will now enjoy almost two weeks off to rest and prepare for its next game against Whitworth College (Wash.) on November 20 in St. Peter at 7:00 p.m.
