SAINT PETER, Minn. – The No. 7 nationally ranked Gustavus Adolphus College men's basketball team battled the Bethany Lutheran College Vikings at home Friday night in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. An 18-2 run midway through the opening half helped power the Gusties to a 86-70 win over the Vikings, improving to 26-2 on the season and advancing to the second round of the national tournament.
Gustavus and Bethany battled evenly through the first 10 minutes of the game, tied 20-20. The tide turned then as the Gusties caught fire with an 18-2 run to take a 16-point lead up 38-22 with just over four minutes remaining in the opening half. The Vikings started to rally to cut Gustavus' lead down to 10 at 41-31, but the Gusties closed out the half with a 5-0 run to lead 46-31.
In the second half, Gustavus built their lead to 21 points up 58-37 in the opening four minutes. The two teams traded baskets the rest of the way with BLC managing to cut the Gusties' lead down to 14 with 3:19 to play, but Gustavus held strong the rest of the way en route to the 86-70 final.
Myles Barnette led the Gusties with 17 points, 10 assists, and eight rebounds to finish just shy of a triple double while leading the team with three steals.
Jake Schmitt followed with 14 points and nine rebounds, leading the team with four made threes.
Eli Wolff scored 12, shooting 42.9% (3-for-7) from beyond the arc.
Three-point shooting was key for Gustavus as they outshot Bethany from long range 40.5% (15-for-37) to 22.7% (5-for-22). Points off turnovers was again key for the Gusties as it has been all season, leading the Vikings 28-10 in that category.
Up next for the Gustavus is the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The Gusties will take on the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor Crusaders on Saturday, March 7 at 7:20 p.m. at home on Gus Young Court.
