SAINT PAUL, Minn. – The Gustavus men’s basketball team took a 79-72 loss in a Saturday afternoon conference game against the Macalester Scots. The loss moves the Gusties to 9-7 overall and 6-5 in the MIAC. Pete Lundquist (Sr., Rochester) led the Gusties with 18 points and seven rebounds while Nolan Malo (Sr., Owatonna) finished with 13 points.
Gustavus kept the score close for the opening seven minutes but wasn’t able to gain the lead until the 8:26 mark at 15-14. Lundquist and Malo led off the scoring with four points each.
In an 18-13 run the Gusties shot 55 percent from the field while Kaleb Feahn (Sr., Waseca) remained consistent on free throws, rattling off four points while Benji Lundberg (Sr., Ellendale) added two.
Gustavus was struggled on the arc going 2-10 on three-pointers. Despite the largest lead being three points for most of the first frame, Macalester went on a 7-2 run in the final two minutes to lead at halftime 32-26.
The Scots maintained their lead in the second half but Feahn was able to keep the Gusties alive with five points in a 17-14 run to keep it at three point deficit with 12 minutes left in regulation.
Spencer Swanson (Fy., Waconia), Lundquist, and Malo combined for 17 points but Macalester had the advantage as they outscored the Gusties 29-25. Feahn, Malo, Lundquist, and Lundberg went on a 10-4 run in the final minute of play to keep the Scots to a 79-72 finish. Gustavus out-rebounded 37-29 and went 13-18 on free throws.
The Gusties will next host the Saint Mary’s Cardinals on February 2nd for a 7:00 tip-off.