SAINT PETER, Minn. – The No. 14 nationally ranked Gustavus Adolphus College men's basketball team battled the Macalester College Scots at home Saturday afternoon. The Gusties shot 50% (21-for-42) from three-point range and 48.6% overall as they routed the Scots 95-62 to win their 13
th game in a row, improve to 15-1 overall, and remain undefeated atop the MIAC at 7-0.
After exchanging baskets in the opening minute, Gustavus went on a remarkable 19-0 run punctuated by a three from
Jake Schmitt to take a 21-2 lead. Macalester cut the Gusties' lead down to 13 midway through the opening period with a 10-4 run, trailing 25-12. Gustavus then caught fire again, building their lead to 25 points up 44-19 as
Obinna Izuora hit a three with just over two minutes to go in the first. The Gusties led 46-22 heading into halftime.
After shooting 46.0% from the field and 47.8% from beyond the arc in the opening half, Gustavus got even better in the second half; shooting a scorching 51.4% overall and 52.6% from long range. Macalester found their footing in the second half after a rough first, but it was too little too late as the Gusties just kept scoring at will. Gustavus led by as many as 44 points, going up 91-47 as
Max Buslee hit a three with 5:36 to go. The Scots cut into the Gusties' lead down the closing stretch after the starters left the floor, but at that point the result was never in doubt as Gustavus secured the 95-62 victory.
91 of the Gusties' 95 points were scored from the field as Gustavus only had four points at the charity stripe on seven shots. Macalester went 11-for-14 at the line.
Points off turnovers were critical in the game. The Gusties won the turnover battle 5-to-16 while outscoring the Scots 26-4 off those turnovers.
Schmitt led Gustavus with 22 points in the win, shooting 8-for-12 from the field and 6-for-8 from three-point range.
Eli Wolff followed with 20 points, going 6-for-11 from beyond the arc. Izuora scored 14 points on 6-of-8 shooting and grabbed six rebounds.
Andrew Quam led the team with seven rebounds to go along with his 10 points.
Up next for the Gusties is a road trip up to Duluth for a conference contest as they take on the College of St. Scholastica Saints on Saturday, January 17 at 3:00 p.m.
