The Gustavus men’s basketball team closed out the 2010 portion of its schedule with a disappointing 83-78 loss in overtime to UW-La Crosse on Thursday evening. The score was tied 74-74 after regulation play, however the Eagles used a 9-2 run in the final four minutes of the overtime to claim the five point victory. Bobby Johnson led Gustavus in scoring with 18 points.
The game was close throughout with 17 lead changes and 15 ties. UW-La Crosse led 43-41 at the intermission.
A lay-up by Paul Blacklock with 10:03 remaining gave the Gusties their biggest lead of the second half at six points (61-55). The Eagles countered with a 9-0 run to take a three-point lead at 64-61 at the 6:49 mark. Neither team would lead by more than three points the rest of regulation play.
In overtime, the Gusties got a lay-up from Bobby Johnson and 1-of-2 free throws from Dan Schmidtknecht in the first minute to take a 77-74 lead, however Gustavus would turn the ball over on three of its next four possessions, which allowed UW-La Crosse to take an 81-77 lead. Bobby Johnson made 1-of-2 free throws to cut the lead to 81-78. The Gusties had one last chance to tie the score, but a Bobby Johnson three-point attempt with :02 left caromed off the rim and the Eagles made two free throws with :01 left making the final score 83-78.
Four Gustavus players scored in double figures including Johnson with 18, Reed Sallstrom with 13, Phil Wirtjes with 12, and James Hill with 10.
Gustavus will return to conference play against Hamline on Monday in St. Peter at 7:30 pm.