The Gustavus women’s basketball team improved to 2-0 on the season with a convincing 74-46 win over Marian College (Wis.) in the semifinals of the Colorado College Thanksgiving Tournament in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The Gusties were led by Jess Vadnais and Bri Monahan with 22 and 19 points, respectively. Gustavus will now face host Colorado College in the championship game on Saturday, Nov. 25 at 4 pm (Central Standard Time). The Tigers defeated Austin College 74-68 in the other semifinal matchup on Friday afternoon.
The Gusties got off to a fast start against Marian and led by 16 points midway through the first half. Coach Mickey Haller’s squad shot 45.2 percent (14-31) and 77.8 percent (7-9) from the free throw line in the first 20 minutes. Gustavus led 37-21 at the intermission.
Gustavus continued to roll in the second half leading by as many as 34 points late in the game. The Gusties ended up winning the contest by 28 points (74-46).
Jess Vadnais and Bri Monahan did most of the damage for Gustavus as the duo combined to score 41 of the team’s 74 points. Vadnais scored 22 points to lead all scorers. She made 7-of-15 from the field including 3-of-5 from three point range. Vadnais is now averaging 21.5 points per game in the Gusties’ first two games. Monahan finished with 19 points. She made 8-of-13 shots from the field. Gustavus also received a strong contribution from first year players Katie Layman and Brianna Radtke who scored 7 and 6 points, respectively.