The Gustavus women’s basketball team shot a season-high 55-percent from the field on their way to a 91-70 victory over Augsburg on Monday night in Minneapolis. Molly Mathiowetz led the Gusties with a double-double, matching her career-high of 22 points and bringing down 12 rebounds on a night where she shot a white-hot 10-of-11 from the floor.
With the victory, the Gusties improve to 7-7 overall and 6-5 in the MIAC, while Augsburg falls to 3-11 overall and 2-9 in the MIAC.
“Our focus this week was to get the ball into the paint. Tonight our posts played outstanding, we got it in to Abby and Molly and our guards were able to generate good looks off them on the perimeter,” said Head Coach Mickey Haller.
After one lead change in the opening half, Gustavus took the advantage at the 16:40 mark on a layup by Molly Mathiowetz, putting the Gusties up 7-6. They would not relinquish the lead for the remainder of the game, leading by as many as 29 points (47-18) in the first half.
Mathiowetz led the team with 10 first half points on 5-of-6 shooting. The Gusties were 19-for-35 from the field and 6-for-12 from three point range in the opening half.
The Auggies would threaten late in the second half, cutting the lead to 79-67 with 4:29 left to play, yet Gustavus responded with a 10-1 run to go back up by 21 points (89-68) with under a minute to play. Gustavus was 14-for-25 from the field and 15-for-19 at the line in the second frame.
Mathiowetz and Ruane both scored in the double-digits in the second half. Mathiowetz scored 12 points and was 5-for-5 from the field, while Ruane scored 10 points, going 2-for-3 from the field and 6-for-6 at the charity stripe.
“Molly played like a senior tonight. She did so many great things in the post and there was nobody on the floor that was going to out-rebound her,” commented Haller.
The Gusties were 33-for-60 (55%) from the field, 7-for-14 from downtown (50%), and 18-for-22 (81.8%) at the line. Augsburg was 23-for-66 from the field (34.8%), 2-for-8 (20%) from three point range, and 22-for-29 (75.9%) at the free throw line.
Gustavus set new season-highs in the categories of points (91), field goals made (33), field goal percentage (.550), rebounds (42), and assists (25) tonight.
Also finishing in double-figures were Molly Geske (13), Colleen Ruane (15), Ava Perry (11), and Abby Rothenbuehler (12).
The Gustavus women’s basketball team will travel to Arden Hills, Minn. for the second game of their three-game road-stand on Wednesday. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m.