The Gustavus women’s basketball team improved to 11-2 overall and 8-2 in the MIAC with an impressive 80-56 victory at St. Olaf on Monday night. Jess Vadnais led the Gusties with 22 points, while Bri Monahan contributed 19 points and 8 rebounds.
The Gusties jumped out to an 11-0 lead and never looked back on their way to the 24-point victory. The first 11 points of the game for Gustavus came on two three-point baskets by Jess Vadnais, a three-point basket from Erin Boese and a jumper from Bri Monahan. The Gusties took a 38-27 lead into the locker room.
Gustavus scored the first eight points of the second half to take a 19-point lead (46-27) on a three-point basket by Julia Schultz at the 17:30 mark. St. Olaf would rally to cut the lead to eight at 47-39 with 13:25 left to play, however, the Gusties quickly built the lead back up to 18 points on their way to 24-point victory.
Joining Vadnais (22) and Monahan (19) in double figures was Julia Schultz with 11.
As a team, Gustavus shot 48.2 percent from the field (27-56), 44.4 percent from three-point range (12-27), and 70.0 percent from the free throw line (14-20).
The Gusties will return home to face Carleton in a battle between second place teams in the MIAC (8-2) on Wednesday night at 7:45 pm. The matchup will wrap up the first round of MIAC play.