SAINT PETER, Minn. – The Gustavus men’s basketball team Saturday held off Augsburg in a tightly-contested game, securing an 84-81 victory at Gus Young Court. The Gusties improve to 4-4 overall and 4-2 in the MIAC, while the Auggies drop to 2-7 overall and 1-5 in the league.
After trading buckets early in the game, Augsburg creating a little separation with a seven straight points for a 9-4 lead. Gustavus tied the game twice in the next three minutes until the Auggies went on an 8-2 run for their largest lead of the game, 22-16, at the 12:03 mark. A three by Brady Kienitz (So., Raymond) at the 8:13 mark sparked a spree of 11 straight points for the Gusties to gain a 34-27 advantage with 4:42 on the clock. Kienitz made another three with 1:29 remaining and Spencer Swanson (So., Waconia) added a pair of free throws with 22 seconds left for an 11-point Gustie lead before the Auggies sunk a three with five seconds on the clock, making the score 44-36 at half.
The Gusties shot 57.1 percent in the first 20 minutes and made 5-of-8 three-pointers.
Gustavus regained a double-digit lead early in the second half before Augsburg slowly chipped away at its deficit, eventually taking a 68-67 lead with 6:34 left in the game. Again, it was Kienitz with a trey on the ensuing possession to regain the Gustie lead. Augsburg tied the game at 70 on its next trip down the floor, but the Gusties once again answered with layup from Swanson to take the lead for good. The Auggies kept the score within five points for the rest of the game, and brought it down to one point at 82-81 with 46 second left, but Swanson added another layup with 23 seconds and the Gusties held off the visitors’ final attempt to tie the game.
“All in all, I was quite pleased with today’s game,” Head Coach Justin DeGrood said. “The thing that immediately comes to mind is the way our guys weathered the first quarter of play. It seemed as if we couldn’t get a stop and turned it over every other possession. In that moment our guys made adjustments on both sides and really settled in.
“Defensively, we really battled through foul trouble which was good to see from our guys. Offensively, our focus rose after the first 10 and I thought we not only took care of the ball but shared it beautifully. It was a really balanced effort and contribution, which is always when we are at our best.”
Gustavus converted at 53.2 percent and shot 8-of-19 from three-point range. The Gusties edged the Auggies on the boards 37-35 while turnovers were even at 17 apiece. Swanson led the Gusties on both ends with a game-high 21 points and 15 rebounds for his second consecutive double-double. Four other Gusties reached double-figure scoring with Adam Biewen (Jr., Golden Valley) adding 18 points, Kienitz with 14, including four three-pointers, Jordan Schommer (Sr., Merrifield) with 11, and Jake Guse (Sr., Waseca) with 10.
The Gusties next welcome Bethany Lutheran College to Gus Young Court for a non-conference game at 7 p.m. Wednesday.