The Gustavus women’s basketball team shot an ice-cold 25.0 percent from the field (17-of-68) against Carleton on Wednesday night and the result was a 51-46 loss to the Knights in Northfield. The Gusties battled for the entire 40 minutes and led for a good portion of the second half, but just could not make enough shots to secure the victory. Molly Geske and Molly Mathiowetz each scored nine points to lead Gustavus, which fell to 10-5 overall and 8-4 in the MIAC.
The Gusties just could not get their shooting on track at any time during the game. Coach Mickey Haller’s squad made 10-of-27 shots from the field in the first half (37.0 percent) including 4-of-12 from behind the arc. Unfortunately, things got worse for the squad in the second half as Gustavus was only able to connect on 7-of-41 shots from the field (17.1 percent) including 2-of-19 from three-point range (10.5 percent).
Gustavus got off to a very slow start in the contest scoring only three points in the first nine minutes of play. The Knights did not light up the scoreboard either but led 12-3 with 11:13 left in the first half. Carleton increased its lead to 13 points at 20-7 at the 7:47 mark. With 3:19 left in the half, the Knights led by 11 points at 26-15, however the Gusties would mount a comeback and outscore Carleton 10-0 over the last three minutes cutting the lead to one at 26-25 at halftime.
The Gusties took a brief lead early in the second half, but Carleton surged back and took a four-point lead at 34-30 with 15 minutes left to play. Gustavus battled back to take its largest lead of the game at four points, 40-36 at the 9:51 mark. The see-saw battle continued as the Knights went on a 10-0 run to take a six point lead at 46-40 with 5:26 to play. Gustavus cut the lead to two points at 48-46 on two free throws by Molly Mathiowetz at the 1:51 mark. The Gusties grabbed a defensive rebound on a Carleton miss with :57 left to play and had a chance to tie the score, but Gustavus failed on four consecutive shots on the offensive end. The Knights would make 3-of-4 free throws in the final :30 seconds to hold off the Gusties and claim the 51-46 victory.
Gustavus will play its sixth consecutive game on the road on Saturday at first place Concordia at 1:00 pm.