SAINT PETER, Minn. — The Gustavus women’s basketball team erupted for 84 points, downing Hamline 84-55 in its first of three games this week. With the win, the Gusties improve to 9-2 in the conference to share the top spot with Bethel.
It seemed that the Pipers would give the Gusties a run for their money Monday night. After all, for the first time in 10 games, the Gusties were left to fight from behind after the opening tip. Hamline took the first lead of the game and built it to five thanks to back-to-back Gustie fouls.
Enter Kylie Baranick (So., Maple Grove).
Baranick shot 7-for-11 from the field in the first half, tallying four 3-pointers and knocking down all three free throws attempts. Baranick sealed the half with one final three for 21 points, giving the Gusties a 45-25 lead heading into the locker room.
The Gusties shared the offense in the second half, putting three more players in double digits before the end of the game. While the Pipers brought the score within 20 in the third quarter, Anna Sanders (Sr., Vadnais Heights) built the Gustie lead back up to 31 before the end of the game.
Baranick’s 21 points were a season- and career-best, shadowing her 15 points at UW-Stout earlier this season. Sanders, who shot 1-for-6 for just two points in the first half, put up 14 in the second, including a run of eight straight points. Rachel Kawiecki (So., Richfield) was dominant on all fronts, posting 14 points and nine rebounds, just one away from the double-double. Kawiecki also added a steal and a pair of blocks on the defensive end of the court. Syd Hauger (Jr., Springfield) added 11 points following her career night on Saturday to round out the Gustie double-digit scorers.
“Kylie was amazing in the first half, she really carried us,” said Head Coach Laurie Kelly. “It was nice to see Anna step up in the second half, and Syd Hauger has been so great for us off the bench all season.”
“It was a really good offensive game for us, and defensively we held a couple of their top scorers down. In all my years here, this is one of the most team-oriented groups I’ve coached, and it really shows in how they come together and play. It was great to get this win so close to our last game against a really quality basketball team and it gives us some great momentum heading into a really busy stretch.”
The Gusties are back for another home MIAC matchup on Wednesday, facing St. Olaf at 7 p.m.