SAINT PAUL, Minn. – The Gustavus women’s basketball team Monday secured the No. 2 seed in the MIAC playoffs with a 62-47 victory over Hamline. The Gusties improve to 18-4 overall and 16-3 in the MIAC, while the Pipers drop to 17-6 overall and 15-5 in the league.
The first game of the season series against Hamline on Jan. 8 was canceled due to COVID testing protocols.
After trading buckets to start Monday’s game, the Gusties rattled off nine consecutive points for an 11-2 advantage. The Pipers chipped away at the lead for the last five minutes of the first quarter and trailed 16-10 after the first.
Hamline continued to battle back in the second quarter, bringing the score all the way to a tie at 20-20 with 2:46 left in the half. Syd Hauger (So., Springfield) hit a three-pointer on the ensuing possession and the Gusties regained the lead for the remainder of the half, leading 25-22 at the break.
The Pipers once again fought back to start the third quarter and gained a 28-27 advantage with 7:21 on the clock. Anna Sanders (Jr., Vadnais Heights) responded with a three-pointer on the next possession that sparked a 15-3 Gustie run over the next five minutes. The Gusties carried a 48-39 lead into the fourth quarter.
“At halftime we talked about settling down because Hamline’s up-tempo defense forced us to take some tough shots,” Head Coach Laurie Kelly said. “In the third quarter we started to hit some shots and extended the defense. I really felt our defense won us the game. To hold a team of Hamline’s caliber to under 50 points on their home court with our group largely made of freshmen and sophomores was awesome to see.”
Gustavus made its first shot of the fourth quarter and maintained a double-digit lead the rest of the game with its largest lead coming at the final buzzer.
Sanders led the offense with 16 points on 7-of-16 shooting from the floor. She also hauled in five rebounds and dished out four assists. Kylie Baranick (Fy., Maple Grove) added 14 points with a trio of three-pointers. Rachel Kawiecki (Fy., Richfield) posted a game-high 13 rebounds, her second highest total of the season.
Gustavus shot 41.4 percent and limited the Pipers to 28.6 percent. The Gusties also edged the home team 39-36 in rebounds.
Gustavus closes out the regular season Wednesday night at home against Saint Benedict.