PELLA, Iowa – The Gustavus men’s basketball team used two double-digit scoring runs in the first half and shot a perfect 17-for-17 from the free throw line to defeat Central College 78-64 Saturday in non-conference action, moving to 2-2 on the season.
“We moved the ball better today and took shots in rhythm,” Head Coach Mark Hanson said. “I think we’ve seen enough of ourselves that we have a better idea of what we’re capable of and that we make what we’re capable of happen regularly. This was important coming off of a poor showing at home on Tuesday to remind us that we have bad games sometimes and there are things that we can do to prevent that from happening.”
After trading buckets in the first five minutes of the game to make the score 11-11, the Gusties created separation with 10 unanswered points, highlighted by consecutive three-pointers by Riley Sharbono (Jr., Marshall, Minn.), but the Dutch responded with a 19-7 run to gain a 30-28 advantage with three minutes left in the half. Again, the Gusties were able to put together a scoring spree with 12 unanswered points and led 40-32 at the break.
Gustavus increased its lead to as much as 15 points (48-33) within the first three minutes of the second half, but not before Central ensued with a 13-2 run to come within four points. The Black and Gold maintained a single-digit lead until back-to-back threes by Zach Bloemker (Fy., Marshall, Minn.) and Sharbono provided a 67-54 advantage with 3:28 to play and the Gusties held on for the win by making eight shots at the free throw line in the last 1:48 of the game.
The Gusties, who shot 44.1 percent from the field, were led by Sharbono with a season-high 23 points, including a 4-for-9 mark from beyond the arc and 7-for-7 from the free throw line. He also grabbed eight rebounds. Kelsey Thomas (Sr., Wiesbaden, Germany) and Vannis Smith (So., Cyrstal Lake, Ill.) each contributed 13 points.
The Gusties start Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play at home Wednesday against Saint Mary’s. Tipoff at Gus Young Court is 7 p.m.