Junior post Molly Mathiowetz scored 17 points and grabbed nine rebounds to help the Gustavus women’s basketball team defeat Bethel 64-56 at Gus Young Court on Saturday afternoon. With the victory, the Gusties improve to 19-4 overall and 17-3 in the MIAC.
Bethel got off to a quick start and led Gustavus 17-12 at the 11:39 mark. The Royals continued to pull away from the Gusties and led by 12 points at 31-19 with two minutes left in the half. Gustavus, however used an 8-0 run over the final two minutes to cut Bethel’s lead to four at 31-27 at the intermission.
The Gusties picked up right where they left off in the second half scoring 10 straight points to take a 37-31 lead at the 16:58 mark. Leading 46-40 with 9:58 to play, Gustavus went on a 7-0 run to push its lead to a game-high 13 points at 53-40 at the 7:21 mark. Bethel would make one last charge using a 9-1 run to cut the Gustie lead to five points at 61-56 with 1:39 left on the clock. Gustavus would shut Bethel out the rest of the way and hold on for the 64-56 victory.
Joining Mathiowetz in double figures for Gustavus was Bri Radtke with 12 points. Taylor Sheley led Bethel with 20 points.
It was Senior Day for the Gustavus women’s basketball program and the Gusties honored their four seniors Bri Radtke, Katie Layman, Julia Schultz, and Amber Steffenhagen before the game. This talented quartet has helped Gustavus post a record of 75-30 overall and 65-21 in MIAC play during their careers. They have also been outstanding in the classroom compiling a combined cumulative grade point average of 3.70 and serving actively in the community including working at the Pheasant’s Ridge Care Facility, serving on the Student Athlete Advisory Board, and working with the Student Educator’s Association. They have also been instrumental in the Gusties push for the MIAC title this season. Gustavus needs one win in its final two games to clinch a share of the MIAC regular seas0n title and can assure themselves of claiming the title outright by winning both games.
Coach Mickey Haller and her squad will host St. Thomas next Wednesday at Gus Young Court and then close out the regular season at St. Ben’s in St. Joseph next Saturday.