The Gustavus men’s basketball team improved its record to 5-0 in the MIAC with a convincing 75-52 win over Hamline in St. Paul on Saturday. Tim Brown led all scorers with 20 points.
The Gusties held a 13-9 lead with 15:10 left in the first half, when Doug Espenson and Tim Brown ignited a 13-0 Gustavus run. That run extended the Gustie lead to 17 points at 26-9 at the 9:33 mark. Hamline would get no closer than 14 points the rest of the game. Gustavus held a 19-point advantage (44-25) at the intermission.
Coach Mark Hanson’s squad did not let up in the second half as the Gusties outscored the Pipers 16-5 in the first five minutes of play to extend their lead to 30 points at 60-30. Hamline never got closer than 22 points the rest of the contest.
Joining Tim Brown in double figures for Gustavus was Phil Sowden with 10 points. Hamline was led by Ryan Montgomery with 14 points. The Gusties shot a red-hot 61.2 percent from the field (30-49) and 75 percent from the free throw line (9-12). Gustavus also outrebounded the Pipers 32-24.
Gustavus (6-3, 5-0) will now get ready to face second place Macalester on Monday night at 7:30 pm in St. Paul.