MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. - The Gustavus men's basketball team rolled to its eighth straight win Saturday afternoon, completing the series sweep over Augsburg with an 88-68 victory. The Gusties improve to 17-3 overall and tie the program record with an 11-0 start to the MIAC schedule. The 17-3 record after 20 games is the best since the 1997-98 season when the Gusties finished 26-4 overall and made it to the NCAA Elite Eight.
Augsburg had the early lead at 4-0 and the game featured three ties before the Gusties took the lead for good on a
Jake Schmitt three-pointer at the 13:43 mark to go ahead 11-8. The trey by Schmitt sparked a 12-0 run by the Gusties. Augsburg bounced back with a 13-2 run to bring the score within one point at 22-21 with 6:48 on the clock, but
Spencer Swanson hit a three on the next possession, followed by consecutive buckets by
Myles Barnette to extend the lead to eight. The Gusties led 39-29 at half.
The Auggies got within single digits early in the second half, but a three-pointer by
Brady Kienitz at the 16:26 mark put the Gusties in front by 12 points and the lead stayed at double digits the rest of the way. The Gusties distributed the ball well throughout the game with 24 assists and a feed from Barnette to
Wyatt Olson for a two-handed slam at the 4:37 mark gave the visitors their largest lead of the game at 80-55.
"Today's matchup we knew was going to be a really good test for us," said Head Coach
Justin DeGrood. "Augsburg can really stretch you, are outstanding in transition and have guys that can get on a heater with ease. Our guys did a nice job of limiting runs and forcing some tough jumpers. For us, offensively, it was a first for us where we were pressured in the full court and went against a half court zone the entire game. I was really impressed with our guys' execution of the game plan, the aggressive mentality they displayed and a genuine love for sharing the ball. The fellas on the floor and on the bench were so selfless and full of competitive joy for one another."
The Gusties shot 55.3 percent from the floor, led by Barnette with 19 points on 8-of-13 shooting off the bench. Barnette also had six assists, two rebounds, a block, and a steal. Olson finished with 14 points, making 6-of-7 shots, including six rebounds, while
Adam Biewen and Schmitt each posted 13 points.
Evan Wieker led the team with seven rebounds as the Gusties out-rebounded the Auggies 39-35.
Gustavus did most of its damage down low, out-scoring the Auggies 62-30 in the paint. The Gustie bench also out-scored the home bench 45-26.
Gustavus returns home Wednesday night to take on Saint Mary's. The Gusties defeated the Cardinals 85-65 on Jan. 15.
