Four Carleton players reached double-figures as the Knights ended the Gustavus women’s basketball team’s five-game winning streak with a 73-64 victory in St. Peter on Saturday. The Gusties struggled offensively going 19-for-67 shooting 28.4 percent from the field. Both squads played aggressively and combined for 49 fouls. However, the Knights went 33-for-45 from the free throw line as they clinched the fourth-seed in the MIAC Post-Season Tournament with the win. Gustavus became the third-seed in the conference playoffs with a 16-6 league record and an overall record of 17-8. Carleton improved to 16-9 overall and 15-7 in MIAC play.
Gustavus had its biggest lead of the first half with 7:37 remaining after Julia Schultz hit a jump shot at 25-22. The Knights rallied back with a 12-2 run for a 34-27 lead highlighted by a series of seven free throws and a three-pointer by Amber Connor. Jess Vadnais made a pair of free throws with 3:02 on the clock for the last points of the half as Carleton went into halftime with a 34-27 lead.
The Gusties fought back to tie the contest at 44-44 five minutes into the half after four Katie Layman free throws and layups from Vadnais, Vicky Peterson, and Bri Radtke. However, Gustavus was never able to get over the hump as Carleton went on a 7-1 run that was propelled by a three-point play from Sarah Lincoln for a 57-50 Knight lead. Gustavus saw its deficit climb to double-digits with 2:00 remaining in the contest. Vadnais hit a quick three-point shot to bring the Gusties within seven points at 67-60, but Carleton was able to make free throws down the stretch.
Jess Vadnais led all scorers with 25 points, going 5-for-12 from the three-point arc. Katie Layman finished with 12 points, while Molly Mathiowetz pulled down a team-high 10 rebounds. Gustavus committed nine turnovers in the contest, but were 5-for-25 from the outside. Sarah Lincoln turned in an outstanding performance with 22 points, including 13-for-13 from the charity stripe, and 12 rebounds. Hannah Oken-Berg also finished with a double-double at 13 points and 12 boards. Amber Connor and Annie Isler posted 13 and 11 points, respectively.
Gustavus will face the winner of Hamline/Macalester in the MIAC Post-Season Quarterfinals on Monday night at 7:30 p.m. at Gus Young Court in St. Peter. Carleton face Concordia on Monday night at 7:30 p.m. in Northfield in the other quarterfinal match.