Gustavus vs. Saint Mary’s University
Date: Saturday, January 28
Time: 1 p.m.
Location: St. Peter, Minn. | Gus Young Court
Live Coverage: Stats | Video
ST. PETER, Minn. – The No. 19-ranked Gustavus Adolphus College women’s basketball team continues Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play Saturday afternoon, hosting Saint Mary’s University. The 18-0 (11-0 MIAC) Gusties are set to tip off against the 12-6 (6-5 MIAC) Cardinals at 1 p.m.
GUSTAVUS WOMEN’S BASKETBALL PAGE | SAINT MARY’S WOMEN’S BASKETBALL PAGE
Last time out: Gustavus most recently earned its 18th win of the season Wednesday evening, defeating Concordia College by a score of 61-59.The two-point victory marked the first time this season in which a Gustie win was been decided by three or less points. Mikayla Miller (Jr., Goodhue, Minn.) led the Black and Gold with 24 points, going 8-for-15 from the field and 4-for-8 from beyond the arc. Miranda Rice (Jr., Forest Lake, Minn.) was also in double figures with 12 points, going 5-for-7 from the field.
In the polls: The Gusties moved up in the most recent Division III National rankings. In the D3hoops.com poll, Gustavus moved up from No. 22 to No. 19, while also moving up to No. 22 from No. 25 in the WBCA Coaches Poll.
Among the National Leaders: Out of 440 teams in NCAA Division III women’s basketball, Gustavus sits at or near the top in multiple statistical rankings. The 100.0 percent winning percentage is tied for first, 79.1 free throw percentage ranks second, and 47.2 field goal percentage ranks third.
The Series: Saturday’s contest marks the 77th all-time meeting between Gustavus and Saint Mary’s with the Gusties holding a 52-24 record over the Cardinals. In December, Gustavus defeated Saint Mary’s by a score of 49-45 in Winona, Minn.
Scouting the Cardinals: Saint Mary’s owns a 12-6 overall record while going 6-5 in MIAC play. The Cardinals most recently lost against Carleton College by a score of 65-48 on Wednesday. Saint Mary’s averages 40.9 rebounds per game to sit atop of the MIAC. Sophomore forward Brandi Blattner ranks second in the MIAC with 9.2 rebounds per game and leads the Cardinals with 14.4 points per game.
Gustavus notables:
– The Gusties’ 18-0 start continues as the best start and win-streak in program history. The 2002-03 Gustavus squad previously held the record, beginning the season with a 13-0 record.
– In Wednesday’s 61-59 win at Concordia, the two-point victory marked the first time this season in which a Gustie win was decided by three or less points.
– Mikayla Miller continues to lead the Gusties, averaging 18.2 points per game – which ranks second highest in the MIAC.
– Miranda Rice ranks third behind Miller in the MIAC, averaging 17.1 points per game. Rice also ranks second in the MIAC with a 60.9 field goal percentage.
– Hannah Howard (Sr., St. Paul, Minn.) ranks just behind Rice in the MIAC with a 55.4 field goal percentage.
– Justine Lee (So., Dawson, Minn.) leads Gustavus from beyond the arc. From three-point range, Lee is 20-for-48 (42.6%) to rank fifth best in the MIAC.
– Gustavus ranks first in field goal percentage (47.3), free throw percentage (78.2), assists per game (17.8), and steals per game (12.2).