STORM LAKE, IOWA – The Gustavus Adolphus men’s basketball team fell in heartbreaking fashion on Sunday afternoon to Buena Vista University by a final score of 76-73 at Siebens Fieldhouse. With time expiring, the Beavers’ Cole Darrow lofted up a three-pointer that banked in to beat the buzzer and give the home team its first victory of the 2014-15 season. With the loss, Gustavus falls to 1-1 overall.
“The score and ending result was indicative of the kind of game it was,” said head coach Mark Hanson. “This is obviously a tough way to lose, but we will learn from it and make it a valuable lesson.”
The game was close throughout, with neither team ever leading by more than eight, and at halftime, the two squads were knotted up at 40 points apiece. The Gusties started the second half with a bang, going on an eight point run, and with 17:20 remaining in the game, led 50-42. However, the Beavers then went on an eight point run of their own and four minutes later, the score was again tied, this time at 50. From that point, the Gusties led by as many as four, with Buena Vista not leading by more than two until the game-ending shot.
With 19 seconds remaining in the game, Gustavus came up with a loose ball offensive rebound and Martin Fedderson (Sr., Winona, Minn.) was able to put in a layup that tied the score at 73. The Beavers then came back up the floor and got the ball to Darrow, who made his move and banked in a shot from the top of the key at the buzzer to seal the deal for Buena Vista.
“We didn’t handle their penetration very well and gave up too many easy baskets from their guards getting in the lane,” said Hanson. “We hurt ourselves with some fouls and allowing them to get into the bonus early in the second half.”
Brody Ziegler (Jr., Mankato, Minn.) led the way for Gustavus by going 9-of-14 from the floor to score 20 points. He also pulled down eight rebounds and dished out four assists. Fellow big man Peter Kruize (So., St. Peter, Minn.) put up 12 points, four rebounds and three assists and Isaac Tap (Sr., Stewartville, Minn.) and Fedderson each had 10 points and four assists for the Gusties.
Darrow led the way for the Beavers with 22 points and five rebounds.
Gustavus will next play on Saturday against the University of Minnesota, Morris at Gus Young Court in St. Peter. Tip-off for that game is scheduled for 3 p.m.