NORTHFIELD, Minn. – 47 is Gustavus women’s basketball’s magic number.
Or at least it has been for the last two games. For the second game in a row, the Gusties have outscored their opponent by 47 points, this time rolling to an 87-40 win over Carleton. The win marks the Gusties’ sixth straight, and third since Monday.
The Knights put up their best effort in the first quarter, staying within four points of the Gustavus lead, until a 3-pointer from Kylie Baranick (So., Maple Grove) gave the Gusties a 15-8 advantage after the first 10. The Gusties turned up the heat in the second quarter, outscoring the Knights 27-12 thanks to 10 points from Anna Sanders (Sr., Vadnais Heights). Sanders shot 4-for-4 from the field in the second quarter, helping the Gusties take a 20 point lead at the half.
And, as if 27 points in one quarter wasn’t good enough, the Gusties totaled 28 in the next, holding the Knights to just six through quarter three. Sanders boosted her total by seven, while Emma Kniefel (Jr., Medford) added six of her own. In the final frame, Sienna Wiebusch (Sr., Saint Peter) went 4-for-4 from the free throw line to give the Gusties one final boost. Seven free-throws for the Knights would help them to 14 points in the fourth quarter, but it wasn’t nearly enough to cut back the Gustie lead.
Anna Sanders led all scorers with 17 points, and added eight rebounds, four assists, and six steals as icing on the cake. Kniefel finished with 16 points for the Gusties, while Rachel Kawiecki (So., Richfield) added 11 and Syd Hauger (Jr., Springfield) rounded out the Gusties’ double-digit scoring with 10 of her own. Kylie Baranick picked up seven assists in addition to her nine points, while Grace Benz (Sr., Steele, N.D.) led the team and the game with nine rebounds.
After three games in six days, the Gusties will break until Wednesday, heading to Bethel to take on the Royals who share the top MIAC spot with the Gusties.