NORTHFIELD, Minn. – The Gustavus women’s basketball team Wednesday won its sixth consecutive game, completing the series sweep over Carleton with a 69-48 victory. The Gusties, who beat the Knights 76-50 on Dec. 1 in Saint Peter, are now 11-2 overall and 9-1 in the MIAC, while the Knights drop to 5-10 overall and 4-8 in the league.
After a back-and-forth first quarter, Gustavus took control of the game in the second by outscoring the Knights 23-6 for a comfortable 41-23 lead at halftime. The Gusties then outscored the Knights 19-9 in the third frame, setting up a fourth quarter that allowed the visitors to clear the bench and rest the starters.
“We just needed to focus on playing Gustie basketball and control what we can control,” Head Coach Laurie Kelly said. “I was really proud of the way we played in the second quarter by taking away their options and it was key to hold them to six points. We pushed the tempo and pace, and did a nice job on the offensive and defensive boards.”
Syd Hauger (So.. Springfield) finished the game as the Gusties’ leading scoring at 15 points in nearly 20 minutes off the bench. She shot 5-of-8 from the floor, including a trio of three-pointers. Anna Sanders (Jr., Vadnais Heights) also reached double figures with 10 points. Morgan Kelly (Fy., Saint Peter) hauled in a season-high 10 rebounds along with seven points off the bench.
Gustavus shot 42.2 percent and limited the Knights to 30.6 percent. The Gusties out-rebounded the home team 45-33. Turnovers were even at 11 apiece.
“Carleton plays a matchup zone that nobody else plays so they force you to make jump shots,” Kelly said. “Sometimes it takes us time to settle in and get comfortable but as a young team they are very receptive to making adjustments and are coachable.”
Gustavus next hosts Bethel at 1 p.m. Saturday.