ST. PAUL, Minn. – The No. 8 nationally ranked Gustavus Adolphus College men's basketball team battled the Macalester College Scots on the road Saturday afternoon a conference contest. 15 Gusties saw the floor and 12 different players scored for Gustavus in a 91-58 victory over the Scots, extending the Gusties' win streak to 19 in a row while moving to 21-1 overall and staying undefeated atop the MIAC at 13-0.
Myles Barnette and
Jake Schmitt gave Gustavus an early 7-0 lead right out the gate. Macalester responded with back-to-back threes to cut the Gusties' lead down to one point up 7-6, but Schmitt answered with a three of his own to kickstart a 16-0 run as Gustavus took a 23-6 lead midway through the opening half.
The Scots battled back to cut the Gusties' lead down to 11 at 27-16 with eight minutes to go in the first, but again Gustavus countered with another run, scoring 10 in a row to go up 37-16 with less than five minutes to go till the half. The Gusties built their lead up to 28 points by halftime, up 51-23.
In the second half, Gustavus led by 34 up 62-28 when Macalester started to rally, putting together a 13-0 scoring run to cut the Gusties' lead down to 21 at 62-41 with over 12 minutes remaining in the game. Macalester's comeback hopes would be dashed, however, as Gustavus found their footing again to outscore the Scots 14-3 through the next four minutes to take a 30-point lead up 76-46 with 8:40 to go. At that point the Gusties pulled most of their starters as the bench closed out the 33-point victory.
Points off turnovers has been a strength for Gustavus all season long, and proved again to be the case on Saturday as the Gusties bested the Scots 6-19 in the turnover margin while outscoring them 24-2 off turnovers.
Barnette led the Gusties with 24 points in just 23 minutes played, going 10-for-13 from the floor with a team-high three steals. Schmitt followed with 16 points, shooting 6-for-12 from the field and making four threes.
Up next for Gustavus is a return home to Saint Peter where they will play the final three games of the regular season, starting on Wednesday, February 11 against the Carleton College Knights at 7:00 p.m. at Gus Young Court.
