The Gustavus women’s basketball team moved to 3-0 in the MIAC with a 74-66 win over Saint Mary’s in Winona on Monday night. Bri Radtke and Molly Geske led the Gusties in scoring with 16 points each.
The Gusties and Cardinals battled back and forth for the first eight minutes of the contest, but with 12:35 remaining in the first half Coleen Ruane hit a jumper to give the Gusties a 12-11 lead and Gustavus would not relinquish that lead the rest of the game. The Cardinals managed to stay close and trailed Gustavus 35-30 at the half.
In the second half, the Gusties increased their lead to 11 points in the first three minutes of play and maintained that double digit lead for most of the final 20 minutes. Saint Mary’s cut the lead to six a couple of times but that is as close as the Cardinals would get. Gustavus made 7-of-12 free throws in the final two minutes of play to hold for the eight-point victory.
Bri Radtke turned in a strong all-around performance for the Gusties as she registered 16 points, five assists, and three steals. Molly Geske was the only other player in double-figures for Gustavus with 16 points.
Jess Miller had a big night for Saint Mary’s as she scored 29 points on 13-of-14 shooting from the field.
Gustavus will return home to face Augsburg on Wednesday at 7:30 pm.