The Gustavus women’s basketball team was unable to stop an explosive second half outburst by the Macalester Scots as the Gusties lost 73-61 and suffered their first setback in conference play this season. Gustavus led 26-23 at halftime, but Macalester exploded for 50 second half points and pulled away in the final five minutes to claim the 12-point victory. The Gusties were led by Bri Radtke with 20 points. Jessica Rene led Macalester with 18 points. Gustavus falls to 7-2 overall and 5-1 in the MIAC, while the Scots improve to 5-4 overall and 5-1 in the MIAC.
Macalester jumped out to a quick 9-1 lead in the game, but the Gusties countered with a 13-4 run to take a 14-13 lead with 7:27 on the clock. The two teams battled back and forth the rest of the half with the lead changing hands four times. Bri Radtke scored four points in the final 50 seconds to give the Gusties a 26-23 lead a the intermission.
It was Gustavus that got off to the quick start in the second half as the Gusties used a 8-2 run to build their lead to nine points at 34-25 at the 16:06 mark. However, Macalester’s Jessica Rene hit a three-point basket the next time down the floor for the Scots and that ignited a 17-0 run four minutes. Macalester led 45-36 with 11:20 to play. The Scots were 5-of-5 from three-point range during that four minute stretch. The Gusties would get no closer than seven points the rest of the game. Macalester made 11-of-14 free throws in the final minute of play to pull away for the 12-point victory.
Macalester shot 56.5 percent from the field in the second half (13-23) including 77.8 percent from three-point range, while Gustavus shot 38.5 percent from the field in the final 20 minutes (10-of-26) including 0-of-4 from behind the arc. The Scots outscored the Gusties 50-35 in the second half.
Bri Radtke led all scorers with 20 points. Others in double figures for Gustavus were Molly Geske with 16 and Molly Mathiowetz with 10. Macalester was led by Jessica Rene with 18, while Majra Mucic contributed 13, Ann Baltzer with 12, and Trina PaStarr with 10.
Gustavus will travel to Northfield on Wednesday night to face St. Olaf at 7:30 pm.