The Gustavus men’s basketball team used a 14-4 run during a four-minute span late in the second half to post a 80-75 come-from-behind win over Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, Iowa. The Gusties, who shot 56.5 percent from the field (26-46), were led by junior wing Andrew Olson who scored 25 points. Coach Mark Hanson’s squad, which is now 2-0 on the young season, will face Bethany Lutheran College in St. Peter on Monday, November 28 at 7:30 pm.
The Gusties stayed close in the first half behind the strong play of junior post Jay Stien, who scored six points and grabbed four rebounds in 12 minutes of play. Stien was three-of-five from the field with one assist, one block, and one steal in the first 20 minutes. Despite shooting a cool 34.3 percent from the field (12-35), the Beavers fashioned a two-point lead at the intermission, 30-28. Nine offensive rebounds led to 19 of the 30 first half points for Buena Vista.
The Beavers extended their lead to five points early in the second half, however two quick three-point baskets by Andrew Olson sandwiched around a two-point field goal by Buena Vista’s Matt Wittry knotted the score at 40-40 with 15:41 remaining in the contest. The two teams would exchange leads several times over the next seven minutes and a basket by Buena Vista’s Mark Joekel at the 7:11 mark knotted the score at 54-54. Trent Hollerich scored on the Gusties next possession starting an 8-0 run that would give Gustavus a 64-56 lead with 3:42 left to play. The Beavers would not get closer than four points the rest of the game. The Gusties held their largest lead of the night at 10 (68-58) with 3:01 remaining on the clock. The Beavers hit three long-range three-point baskets in the final minute to cut the lead to four at 79-75 with :04 left. Adam TeBrake hit one-of-two free throws with :01 remaining to make the final score 80-75.
Andrew Olson was the big story for the Gusties in the second half as he scored 20 points by making 6-of-7 field goals (4-4 from behind the arc) and 5-of-6 free throws. Olson’s 25 point effort against Buena Vista is the second highest single game output of his career. He scored a career-high 27 against St. Thomas last season. Other Gusties in double figures included Adam TeBrake and Trevor Wittwer with 11 points each. Gustavus shot a red-hot 56.5 percent from the field (26-46) in the game, including a sizzling 66.7 percent in the second half (16-24). The Gusties were also 23-of-30 from the free throw line and 5-of-10 from the three-point line in the game.
Gustavus has shot 56.0 percent from the field in its first two games this season (61-109) including 42.3 percent from behind the arc (11-26). Individually, Andrew Olson is shooting 65.2 percent from the field (15-23), 71.4 percent from the three-point line (5-7) and 87.5 percent from the free throw line (7-8). Adam TeBrake is shooting 57.1 percent from the field (12-21), 66.7 percent from behind the arc (4-6) and 91.7 percent from the free throw line (11-12).