NORTHFIELD, Minn. – The Gustavus men’s basketball team was outscored 41-28 in the final 20 minutes after a five-point first half deficit at Carleton College Wednesday evening, falling 81-63 for a third consecutive Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference road loss.
The Gusties, now 10-10 overall and 8-7 during conference play, shot 47.1 percent from the field compared to a 52.6 field goal percentage from the Knights. Carleton was also efficient from long-range, converting 9-19 three-point field goals, compared to a 4-17 mark for Gustavus.
Carleton out-rebounded the Black and Gold 32-27 while turning in 18 points off of Gustie turnovers while maintaining a lead throughout the entire 40 minutes.
Kelsey Thomas (Sr., Wiesbaden, Germany) led the Gusties in the first half with 11 points off 5-6 shooting from the field, while Gustavus shot 14-24 compared to a 14-29 mark from the home team. The Knights shot 6-10 from beyond the arc and took a 40-35 lead into the intermission.
In the opening minutes of the second half, two consecutive Gustie baskets put the visitors behind by three points at 42-39. However, Carleton shot 57.1 percent from the field in the second half while top-scorer Kevin Grow overmatched the Gustavus defense. Grow shot 5-8 from the field and collected 12 points and nine rebounds in the second half alone.
Spencer Tollefson (Jr., New Richland, Minn.) tallied a season-high 15 points, while Thomas added 15 as well to tie for the team-lead. Jason Faul (Sr., Prior Lake, Minn.) followed with 12 points while Thomas and Peter Lundquist (Fy., Rochester, Minn.) each grabbed five rebounds.
Gustavus returns to action Saturday afternoon for another MIAC road matchup at Hamline University in St. Paul, Minn. The Gusties and the Pipers are set to tipoff at 1 p.m.