SAINT PETER, Minn. – The Gustavus men’s basketball team cut a 15-point deficit down to one in the second half Saturday against Macalester, but could not complete the comeback in a 75-70 loss. The Gusties drop to 2-4 overall and 2-2 in the MIAC, while the Scots improve to 6-1 overall and 3-0 in the league.
Macalester jumped out of the gate to a 9-0 lead in the first 1:32 before Gusties got on the board. The Scots continued to add to their lead, taking a 15-point advantage twice at the 8:58 and 0:42 marks. The Gusties closed the gap to seven points at 35-28 with 3:04 left in the half, but the Scots closed out the first on a 10-4 run for a 45-32 lead at half.
The Gusties started the second with the hot hand, going on a 17-7 spree in the first five minutes to make the score 52-49 after a Spencer Swanson (So., Waconia) three. The Scots regained the momentum with a 10-4 run for a nine-point advantage before the Gusties once again made a comeback. Jordan Schommer (Sr., Merrifield) sunk a three with 7:36 on the clock, cutting the Macalester lead to 66-65. But the Scots made a pair of free throws on the ensuing possession and never gave up the lead to hold on for the win.
Gustavus shot 49.2 percent from the floor and went just 4-of-16 from three-point range. Schommer led the offense with 17 points on 7-of-11 shooting, including 3-of-5 from beyond the arc. Jake Guse (Sr., Waseca) added a season-high 15 points and 12 rebounds for the double-double. Evan Wieker (Jr., St. Michael) and Adam Biewen (Jr., Golden Valley) contributed 11 points apiece.
The Scots shot 45.9 percent from the field and made 10-of-29 three-pointers. Rebounds were even at 29 for each team. The Scots forced 19 Gustie turnovers and scored 26 points off the takeaway.
Gustavus next hosts St. Olaf at 7 p.m. Wednesday.