The Gustavus women’s basketball rallied from a 12-point second half deficit to take a one-point lead with 1:00 left in the game, but Concordia countered with a lay-up and a free throw in the final :07 seconds to claim a 71-69 win over the Gusties. Bri Monahan led all scorers with 26 points.
Gustavus got off to a very slow start in the contest and trailed 16-4 after four minutes of play. Coach Mickey Haller’s squad rallied to cut the lead to one at 26-25 with 4:59 left in the first half, however the Cobbers outscored the Gusties 16-7 over the final five minutes to take a 42-32 lead into the locker room at the intermission.
Concordia maintained its double-digit lead through the first eight minutes of the second half and held a 54-44 lead with 12:06 left in the contest. Gustavus made six consecutive free throws over the next two minutes and trailed 54-50 at the 9:41 mark. The Gusties kept pecking away at the lead and finally tied the score at 62-62 with 2:51 left in the game. Gustavus took a 67-65 lead on a jumper by Bri Monahan at the 1:36 mark, however the Cobbers jumped right back into the lead on clutch three-point basket by Annie Keeley just :12 seconds later. Monahan put the Gusties back in the lead again as she made a lay-up with 1:01 left to play.
The Cobbers turned the ball over with :41 left and the Gusties had the ball and a one-point lead. After running :24 seconds off the shot clock, Gustavus’ Erin Boese missed a three-point shot and the rebound was hauled down by the Cobbers Annie Keeley with :15 on the clock. Concordia pushed the ball up the floor and took the lead for good (70-69) on a lay-up by Melanie Hageman with :07 left.
Gustavus called a timeout to plan a last second shot but turned the ball over with :04 seconds remaining sealing the win for Concordia. Keeley made one-of-two free throws in the final seconds to make the final score 71-69.
The Gusties fall to 8-2 overall and 5-2 in the MIAC, while the Cobbers improved to 6-4 overall and 4-3 in the MIAC.