Led by Bri Monahan’s (Jr., Hutchinson, Minn.) 20 points and eight rebounds, the Gustavus women’s basketball team moved past St. Kate’s, 81-49, in St. Paul Saturday afternoon. Jess Vadnais (So., Hudson, Wis.) added 15 points and six assists for the Gusties, who have won eight of their last ten overall.
Gustavus opened the game with an early 8-4 advantage, but jumpers by Teresa Meiners and Sara Schafhauser drew St. Kate’s even at 8-8 with 16:22 to play in the first half. A foul by Jenna Martin put Erin Boese at the line to complete an old-fashioned three-point play that put the Gusties up 11-8. Gustavus built the lead to seven points over the next five minutes before forcing St. Kate’s to use a timeout with 11:00 to play.
St. Kate’s Rachel Berglund hit a jumper with 10:42 remaining in the first half to cut the lead to five points at 23-18, but the Wildcats would get no closer as the Gusties went on a 23-5 to close out the half. During the stretch, Gustavus held St. Kate’s to 1-of-12 shooting and forced four turnovers. The Gusties took a 46-23 advantage into the halftime break, outshooting the Wildcats 59.5 percent (19-32) to 31.0 percent (9-29) in the first half.
The Gusties’ shooting percentage dipped to 40.5 percent (15-37) in the second half, but Gustavus still outscored the Wildcats 35-26 in the second half as Gustie coach Mickey Haller made full use of her bench. Ten of the 14 players on the bench registered more than 12 minutes of playing time. St. Kate’s opened the second half on a 14-3 run which cut the Gustie lead to 12 points (49-37) with 13:42 to play.
The Gusties answered the Wildcats’ early second half run with one of their own, outscoring St. Kate’s 23-2 over the next 8:14 beofre Jenna Martin hit a jumper to make the score 72-41 in favor of Gustavus. The Gusties had clamped down defensively during their run, holding the Wildcats to 1-of-8 shooting and forcing six turnovers. Gustavus also held St. Kate’s scoreless over a five-minute stretch during the run.
Monahan finished the game 7-of-14 from the field, including 2-of-3 from behind the three-point line en route to team highs in points and rebounds. Vadnais was 6-of-12 from the field and knocked down two of six three-pointers. Sara Boldt (Sr., Faribault, Minn.) added nine points, while Erin Boese (Jr., Rochester, Minn.) and Kenzie Consoer (So., Mankato, Minn.) chipped in with eight points apiece.
St. Kate’s Jenna Martin led the Wildcats with ten points and game-highs with nine rebounds and three blocks.
The Gusties improve to 12-4 overall, 10-3 in the MIAC. The Gusties will return to St. Paul Monday evening for a game against St. Thomas.