ST. PAUL, Minn. – The No. 11 nationally ranked Gustavus Adolphus College men's basketball team battled the Hamline University Pipers on the road Wednesday night in a conference contest. The Gusties took down the Pipers 72-51 to win their 16
th consecutive game, move to 18-1 overall, and remain undefeated atop the MIAC standings with a 10-0 conference record.
Hamline opened the game with a 9-0 run through the first two and a half minutes of play.
Myles Barnette put Gustavus on the board with a jumper to spark a 6-0 run to pull the Gusties within three, but the Pipers responded with a 5-0 run to take an eight-point lead up 14-6. Hamline led by eight up 22-14 with eight and a half minutes remaining in the opening half, but then
Jake Schmitt hit a three to spark a 10-0 run for the Gusties, taking the lead for the first time in the game up 24-22. The Pipers tied the game 24-24 on their next possession, but Barnette answered with a jumper to give Gustavus a lead they would build to seven points at the half, leading 36-29.
The Gusties maintained a steady lead over Hamline through the first 13 minutes of the second half, leading by at least six but by no more than 13 over that time. Leading by 11 up 55-44 with 6:17 on the clock, Gustavus went on a 9-0 run to take a 20-point lead up 64-44 with 2:26 to go. The Gusties made their free throws down the stretch to close out the game with a 72-51 win to remain undefeated against MIAC opponents.
Jake Schmitt and Barnette led Gustavus with identical 20 point, six rebound, and two assist stat lines with Schmitt doing his damage from long range on a 4-for-7 clip while Barnette went 7-for-11 overall from the floor.
Connor Beauchamp followed with 10 points, adding three rebounds and two steals in 17 minutes off the bench.
Gustavus outscored the Pipers 19-5 in points off turnovers. The Gusties' bench also outscored Hamline's 19-5 in the game.
Up next for the Gusties is a return home to Saint Peter after a three-game road trip as they are set to host the Concordia College Cobbers on Saturday, January 31 at 3:00 p.m. at Gus Young Court.
