The Gustavus women’s basketball team extended its winning streak to four games, three of which came in consecutive road contests, with a 64-49 victory over Saint Mary’s on Saturday afternoon in Winona, Minn. The Gusties had three players in double-figures, as Molly Mathiowetz led the way with a game-high 19 points on 8-of-10 shooting. Gustavus improves to 9-7 overall and 8-5 in the MIAC, while Saint Mary’s falls to 8-7 overall and 6-6 in the MIAC. Gustavus currently sits in fourth place in the MIAC behind Concordia (9-3 MIAC).
Molly Mathiowetz scored in the double-digits for her eighth consecutive game. She is 23-for-28 (.821) from the field in the last three contests and is now averaging 13.1 points per game on the season.
The two teams went back in forth for the majority of the opening half. Gustavus was able to pick up the defense in the final 5:55 of the half, blanking the Cardinals and scoring seven points within the time-span to take a 27-20 lead at the break. The Gusties outshot the Cardinals 42.9 to 30-percent in the half, as they were led by Molly Geske with eight points. Geske would finish the game with 18 points, going 7-for-15 from the field.
The Cardinals cut the lead to four points on four different occasions in the first 11 minutes of the second half, yet could makeup the difference. A three pointer by Cherie Kulig cut the lead to 43-40 at the 8:10 mark, but the Gusties answered with a Mathiowetz layup on the next possession. It would be the closest the Cardinals would come, as Gustavus would build a double-digit lead (56-46) by the 1:40 mark.
Mathiowetz and Geske led all scorers with 13 and 10 points, respectively, in the second half. Mathiowetz was a perfect 6-for-6 from the field. The Gusties shot 50-percent in the frame, while Saint Mary’s shot 35.5-percent. Gustavus was 11-for-13 at the free throw line with Geske going 4-for-4 and Kelsey Florian going 5-for-6 at the stripe.
On the afternoon, Gustavus was 25-for-54 (46.3%) from the field, 0-for-8 from three point range, and 14-for-16 (87.5%) at the line. Saint Mary’s went 9-for-30 (32.8%) from the field, 3-for-20 (15%) from three, and 6-for-8 (75%) at the line. The Gusties have shot over 40-percent from the floor in their past three contests.
Colleen Ruane was a rebound away from a double-double as she added 13 points on 6-of-8 shooting and a team-high nine rebounds. The Cardinals were led by Jess Miller and Jamie Stefely. Miller scored 10 points, while Stefely recorded a double-double with 10 points and 10 boards.
The Gustavus women’s basketball team will be in action on Wednesday, Jan. 26 against St. Olaf in St. Peter, Minn. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m.