BLOOMINGTON, Minn. – Syd Hauger (5th, Springfield, Minn.) was named the MIAC Women's Basketball Defensive Player of the Week on Monday, Feb. 17. 

Hauger led the eighth-ranked Gusties to a pair of victories against St. Olaf and Saint Benedict last week, collecting six steals and six rebounds between the two games, including five steals against St. Olaf on Wednesday. Hauger helped the Gusties force 19.5 turnovers over the week, including 29 against the Oles, holding them to just four shots or less made in each quarter. 

Against Saint Benedict, Hauger and the Gusties held Sophia Jonas, the MIAC's new three-point record holder, to just 1-of-7 from beyond the arc. Gustavus limited the Bennies to just two offensive rebounds, a season-low for CSB, which averages 7.8 offensive boards per game. Hauger also added 15 points and three assists on the offensive end of the court between the two games. 

Her five steals against St. Olaf are tied for the fourth-most in any conference game this season. The weekly award is the first of Hauger's career, and the seventh MIAC Athlete of the Week honor for the women's basketball team this season. The seven awards are the most in a single season in program history, beating the previous record of three set in 2023-24.
 
The Gusties are currently (through games of Feb. 16) fifth in NCAA Division III in scoring defense (47.5 ppg) and winning percentage (.957); 12th in free throw percentage (76.3 percent); 16th in assist/turnover ratio (1.16); and 21st in scoring margin (+19.0 ppg). 

Gustavus jumped UW-Oshkosh for the top spot in Region IX the NCAA National Power Index (NPI) for Division III women's basketball, sitting in fifth after last week's victories. The Gusties were ranked No. 8 in the latest D3hoops.com top 25 released on Feb. 10, with four teams from the region also featured: UW-Oshkosh (No. 5), Wartburg (No. 13), UW-Stout (No. 17), and UW-Whitewater (No. 14). Bethel, which shares the top spot in the conference standings with the Gusties, was the first team out of the poll, receiving 48 votes. 

The Gusties travel to Carleton (3-20, 2-14 MIAC) on Wednesday, Feb. 19, for their final road game of the regular season, before hosting St. Catherine (13-10, 8-8 MIAC) for Senior Day on Saturday, Feb. 22.