CHICAGO, Ill. – The Gustavus men’s basketball team defeated Blackburn College 85-73 Saturday evening at the North Park University Invitational for its first win of the 2017-18 season.
Kelsey Thomas (Sr., Wiesbaden, Germany) led the way for the Gusties, shooting 8-for-10 from the field and 2-for-2 from beyond the arc with a double-double of 23 points and 12 rebounds.
Gustavus posted a 52.8 percent field goal percentage, going 28-53 from the field as well as an efficient three-point shooting mark at 45 percent, going 9-20.
The Gusties opened the first half with a 44-39 lead and followed that with a 23-0 run through the first 10 minutes of the second half. The Black and Gold then were able to maintain its lead throughout the second half despite a late surge from the Beavers.
Three other Gusties added double-digit point totals. Vannis Smith (So., Crystal Lake, Ill.) tallied 13, while Zach Bloemker (Fy., Marshall, Minn.) posted 12 and Riley Sharbono (Jr., Marshall, Minn.) notched 11.
Gustavus, now 1-1 overall, hosts its home opener next Tuesday versus Buena Vista University at 5:45 p.m.
We watched C J Woda during AAU Ball. Looks like a real talent that will help this team in the near future!