MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – For the first time in program history, Gustavus women’s basketball is the champion of the MIAC postseason tournament. The Gusties, now 22-4 overall, defeated MIAC regular season champion Augsburg 65-56 on Sunday afternoon, punching their ticket to the NCAA Division III Tournament.
Starters Emma Kniefel (So., Medford), Kylie Baranick (Fy., Maple Grove), and Rachel Kawiecki (Fy., Richfield) led the offense with 13, 11, and 10 points respectively. Kawiecki also tied for the team lead with eight rebounds, along with Anna Sanders (Jr., Vadnais Heights), who contributed nine points as well.
The Gusties shot 49.1 percent from the field and held the Auggies to 32.3 percent. The Gusties also won the battle on the boards, out-rebounding the home team 42-36. Augsburg shot 37 three-pointers in the game, but the Gustie defense held the Auggies to 18.9 percent from beyond the arc.
Baranick opened the game with a three-pointer and the Gusties held the lead for the entire game. Gustavus shot well to start the game, making five of its first seven shots and led 11-7 midway through the first quarter. The Gusties held a 20-17 lead after the first 10 minutes.
The Auggies made it a one-point game at the 5:27 mark of the second quarter before the Gusties ended the half on a 10-2 run for a 37-28 halftime advantage.
Augsburg battled in the third quarter, going plus-two in the score differential and entered the fourth quarter trailing 54-47. The Auggies brought the deficit down to three points at 59-56 with 2:57 remaining, but Syd Hauger (So., Springfield) made a pair of clutch free throws to make it a two possession game and the Gustie defense stepped up, not allowing the Auggies to score in the final 2:57 of the game.
For the first time all season, Coach Kelly used just three bench players but the strategy paid off. The Gusties took advantage of second chances, scoring 13 second chance points.
Gustavus now waits to find out who, when, and where it will play in the NCAA tournament, which will be announced during Monday’s selection show on NCAA.com at 1:30 p.m. CST.