The Gustavus women’s basketball team picked up its fourth consecutive win by outlasting Macalester 60-48 in a very physical battle at Gus Young Court on Wednesday night. The Gusties had five players reach double figures in scoring including Molly Geske with 16, Emily Nelson and Kirsten Prunty with 11 each , and Molly Mathiowetz, and Bri Radtke with 10 each. Ann Baltzer led Macalester with 13 points.
The first half was a see-saw affair with four ties and five lead changes. The Gusties used an 11-3 run over the final four minutes of the half to take a 31-23 lead into the locker room at the intermission. Gustavus shot 50.0 percent from the field (13-26) in the first 20 minutes, while the Scots shot a cool 33.3 percent (11-33).
In the second half, Bri Radtke hit a three-point basket on the Gusties first possession extending the lead to 11 points at 34-23. Gustavus maintain its double-digit lead through most of the second half, however a 6-0 Macalester run starting at the 6:55 mark, cut the Gustie lead to four points at 50-46 with 3:21 left to play. Gustavus quickly countered with a 6-0 run of its own to push the lead back to 10 points at 56-46 with 2:26 on the clock and the Gusties held on for the 12-point, 60-48 victory. Gustavus extended its home-win streak against Macalester to 14 games dating back to the 1994-95 season.
Gustavus improved to 13-6 overall and 11-5 in the MIAC, while Macalester, which dropped its eighth straight game, fell to 8-11 overall and 6-10 in the MIAC. The Gusties remain home to face Hamline on Saturday, while the Scots return home to host Augsburg.