The Gustavus women’s basketball team opened its 2008-09 season with a 79-64 win over Austin College at the Austin/Southwestern Thanksgiving Classic in Sherman, Texas. Junior post Katie Layman led the Gusties with 28 points including 11-of-16 shooting from the field. Gustavus will play Southwestern University on Saturday at 1:00 pm (CST).
The Gusties got off to a quick start in the game and led by 12 at 21-9 with 12:41 remaining in the first half. Gustavus built its lead to as many as 15 points, however Austin came charging back late in the half outscoring the Gusties 14-6 in the final six minuts of the half. Gustavus led by five, 38-33 at the intermission.
The Gusties used a 10-0 lead early in the second half to build the lead back to 15 points, before the Kangaroos used a 10-0 run of its own later to cut the lead to four at 64-60 with 7:33 remaining in the game. Gustavus answered right back with another 11-0 run to increase its lead to 15 at 77-62 with two minutes left to play.
Layman led all scorers with 28 points. Two other Gustavus players scored in double figures including Julia Schultz and Molly Mathiowetz with 10 points each. Bri Radtke contributed nine points and five rebounds. The Gusties shot 55.7 percent from the field (34-61) and outrebounded the ‘Roos 33-30.