SAINT PETER, Minn. – Five different Gustavus women’s basketball players reached double-figure scoring in a 67-50 win over conference-leading Augsburg on Monday night. The Gusties improve to 15-4 overall and 13-3 in the MIAC, while the Auggies drop to 15-5 overall and 15-2 in the league.
“I thought we established ourselves defensively right away,” Head Coach Laurie Kelly said. “The focus was trying to shut Jen Masello down and we did a great job defensively by holding her to one point. And we shot the ball really well. I thought Emma Kniefel was so good in the second half and it was great team basketball tonight with five players in double figures. The loss at Saint Mary’s last week was a wakeup call for us and the team clearly responded against St. Kate’s on Saturday and again tonight. We play really well at home and we’re trying to put ourselves in a position where we can play as many home playoff games as possible.”
Gustavus set the tone from the opening tip, holding the Auggies scoreless in their first three possessions while taking a 7-0 lead. Augsburg cut the lead down to 13-11 to start the second quarter, but the Gusties responded by outscoring the visitors 20-7 in the second frame for a 33-15 halftime lead. The second half was evenly played with Augsburg winning the third quarter 20-16 and the Gusties winning the fourth 18-15, but the first half damage by Gustavus created enough separation for the 17-point victory.
The Gusties controlled the paint, outscoring the Auggies 30-12 from short range while nearly doubling up on the rebounds 42-23. Gustavus outshot the Auggies 44.8-32.1 percent from the floor. Anna Sanders (Jr., Vadnais Heights) (14), Rachel Kawiecki (Fy., Richfield) (12), Emma Kniefel (So., Medford) (11), Izzy Quick (So., Brooklyn Park) (10), and Syd Hauger (So., Springfield) (10) all reached double-digit scoring. Kniefel led the team on the boards with eight, while adding a team-high seven assists.
Gustavus next travels to Concordia on Wednesday for a 5:45 p.m. tipoff.