Big First Half Keys Women’s Basketball’s 67-55 Win At Macalester Posted on December 12th, 2015 by

Hannah Howard only scored two points Friday, but grabbed 13 rebounds (four offensive), dished out four steals, and tallied four steals in a 67-55 Gustie victory.

Hannah Howard only scored two points Friday, but grabbed 13 rebounds (four offensive), dished out four assists, and tallied four steals in a 67-55 Gustie victory.

Gustavus 67, Macalester 55 (Box)

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Gustavus Adolphus College women’s basketball team used a big first half to take a 23-point lead into halftime and eventually come away with a 67-55 victory on Friday evening at Alumni Gymnasium. The win allows the Gusties to improve to 6-2 overall and 3-1 in the MIAC, while the Scots fall to 5-5 overall and 1-3 in the conference.

“We played a phenomenal first half,” said Coach Laurie Kelly. “I was really proud of our effort and the way we came out. To go into halftime up 23 was big and we played really well to earn that advantage, especially on the defensive end by holding them to only 19.”

Lindsey Johnson (Sr., Edina, Minn.) and Mikayla Miller (So., Goodhue, Minn.) played a key role in the Gusties gaining their large lead, as they combined to shoot 8-of-15 from the floor in the first half to total 20 total points. A three-pointer by Johnson 6:24 into the first quarter allowed Gustavus to take its first double digit lead at 15-5, and a jumper by Kelsey Carpenter (Jr., St. Peter, Minn.) 4:26 into the second put the Gusties up 20.

Macalester began to climb back into the contest midway through the third quarter. With Gustavus leading 48-26 with 5:28 to play in the third, the Scots went on an 11-4 run that allowed them to climb within 14 with 2:54 remaining in the third.

“One of my main fears going into the second half was that we’d take our foot off the gas, and that certainly happened,” said Kelly. “We didn’t come out in the third quarter the way we started the game and they outplayed us during the second half overall. We never seemed to get back in control the way we were the first half. However, we found a way, and to go on the road and get a win is always big. Credit also needs to be given to Macalester … they never gave up and made it a battle.”

Despite the Scots’ run, Gustavus never led by less than 12 the rest of the way, had its lead rebuilt to 19 (59-40) early in the fourth quarter, and eventually came away with the 12-point victory. Johnson and Miller led the Gusties in scoring with 15 apiece, and Hannah Howard (So., St. Paul, Minn.) grabbed 13 rebounds, dished out four assists, and tallied four steals. Miranda Rice (So., Forest Lake, Minn.) also poured in 12 points on 4-of-6 shooting on the night.

“Hannah Howard played a phenomenal game,” said Kelly. “Even though she only scored two points, she was a difference-maker and played a big role for us. I was also happy we were able to play our entire bench and had 11 players with double digit minutes.”

Macalester was led by Regan Fruh and Vivi Gregorich who each scored 13 points. The Scots shot 32.7 percent from the floor, compared to Gustavus’s 41.5 percent. Gustavus also only tallied nine turnovers.

The Gusties take on UW-La Crosse on Tuesday in their final action before heading to Puerto Rico over the holiday break. Tuesday’s action against the Eagles begins at 7 p.m. on Gus Young Court.

 


One Comment

  1. J flynn says:

    Great job Gusties- way to go Hannah Howard awesome game!