SAINT PETER, Minn. – In a matchup of two of the top three men’s basketball teams in the MIAC Saturday afternoon, Gustavus lost to league leading Carleton 91-80 at Gus Young Court. The Gusties drop to 5-8 overall and 5-3 in the MIAC, while the Knights improve to 11-1 overall and 6-1 in the conference.
Carleton jumped out to a trio of five-point leads in the opening six minutes of the game before the Gusties scored seven straight points, highlighted by two and-one opportunities by Wyatt Olson (So., Saint Peter). The lead changed hands six times in the ensuing seven minutes but the Gusties built their largest lead of nine with 3:07 remaining in the half as Carson Koch (Fy., Woodbury) made consecutive threes and Evan Wieker (Jr., St. Michael) added another three followed by a second chance layup. The Knights answered by finishing the half on a 13-3 run for a 43-42 lead at half.
The second half started with four lead changes in the opening 92 seconds before the Knights scored eight straight points to gain the lead for good. Carleton slowly increased its lead to as much as 12 points four times to finish the game. The Knights took advantage of the opportunities given to them, scoring 11 second chance points in the second half and 23 in the game.
Carleton edged the Gusties 35-34 on the boards. The Gusties shot 47.6 percent from the floor and 42.3 percent from three-point range, while the Knights shot 44.9 percent and 38.7 percent from three.
Jordan Schommer (Sr., Merrifield) led the Gusties with a career high 22 points on 9-of-14 shooting from the floor, including 4-of-6 from long range. Spencer Swanson (So., Waconia) added 15 points. Wieker contributed 12 points and a team-high nine rebounds.
The Gusties next host St. Scholastica on Wednesday night.