ST. PETER, Minn. – Women’s basketball player Miranda Rice (Sr., Forest Lake, Minn.) and men’s basketball player Riley Sharbono (Jr., Marshall, Minn.) have been selected as the Gustavus Adolphus College December Female and Male Student-Athletes-of-the-Month, presented by Thrivent Financial and voted on by the Gustavus Sports Information Department.
Miranda Rice
Women’s Basketball
Hometown: Forest Lake, Minn.
High School: Forest Lake
Major: Elementary Education
Parents: Jim Rice and Sarah Londerville of Forest Lake, Minn.
The Gustavus women’s basketball team owned a 5-2 record during the month of December, guided by a 14.0 point per game effort from senior forward Miranda Rice. Starting in all seven games, Rice compiled double digit scoring numbers in all but two games during the month for a total of 98 points, shooting 50 percent from the field (42-for-84) while collecting 39 rebounds and eight steals. On Dec. 9 versus Hamline University, Rice surpassed the 1,000 career point mark, becoming the 12th Gustavus women’s basketball player to do so. Her performance led to a Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Player of the Week honor.
Riley Sharbono
Men’s Basketball
Hometown: Marshall, Minn.
High School: Marshall
Major: Public Accounting
Parents: Randy and Cindy Sharbono of Marshall, Minn.
Sharbono helped lead the Gustavus men’s basketball team to a 3-2 record in the month of December, pacing the Black and Gold offense with 66 points for an average of 13.2 points per game, along with six rebounds per game. Starting in all five games during the month, Sharbono recorded double digit point performances and at least 30 minutes in all but one game while going 26-for-30 from the free throw line. The Gusties extended their winning streak to five games with wins over Augsburg and Hamline Dec. 6 and 9, guided by a 17.5 points per game average from Sharbono. He was named MIAC Player of the Week after totaling 35 points, 15 rebounds, and a 44.4 field goal percentage during those games.