Seniors (from left): Kelsey Thomas, Schuyler Thompson, Austin Goetz, Jason Faul, Coleman Sweeney
Gustavus vs. Saint John’s
Date: Wednesday, Feb. 14
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: St. Peter, Minn. | Gus Young Court
Live Coverage: Stats | Video
ST. PETER, Minn. – The Gustavus men’s basketball team is set to close out its regular season Wednesday evening, hosting No. 3 ranked Saint John’s University during Senior Night. The Gusties (12-12, 10-9 MIAC) and the Johnnies (21-2, 17-1 MIAC) are set to tipoff at 7 p.m. from Gus Young Court.
Senior Night
As is tradition as Gustavus, the final home game of the regular season is designated as Senior Night and a special tribute is made to the individuals who have dedicated themselves to Gustavus men’s basketball the past four years. This year, the Athletics Department, Head Coach Mark Hanson, parents, and fans salute the five student-athletes who have represented the men’s basketball program with pride and class throughout their collegiate careers. Student-athletes honored today for their years of commitment include Jason Faul (Prior Lake, Minn.), Austin Goetz (Chaska, Minn.), Kelsey Thomas (Wiesbaden, Germany), Schuyler Thompson (Milville, Minn.), and Coleman Sweeney (Lake City, Minn.).
The Series
Wednesday’s game marks the 181st meeting between Gustavus and Saint John’s on the hardwood, with the Gusties holding a 111-69 advantage in the all-time series. The two teams previously met in Collegeville, Minn. Jan. 29, with SJU prevailing with a 76-54 victory.
Last Time Out
The Gusties dropped a tight contest last Saturday at Gus Young Court, falling 70-69 versus Bethel University. Bethel held a 36-31 rebound advantage over the Gusties along with a 28-14 advantage in points in the paint. Gustavus shot 41.9 percent from the field (26-62) while recording a double-digit three-point field goal mark for the second consecutive game, going 12-29. Riley Sharbono (Jr., Marshall, Minn.) tied a season-high with five three-point field goals, leading the Gusties with 25 points off 9-12 shooting. Kelsey Thomas followed with 12 points, tying for the team-lead in rebounds with Jason Faul, each grabbing five.
Scouting the Johnnies
Saint John’s moved up three spots to No. 3 in the latest D3hoops.com top-25 poll, clinching the MIAC regular season championship and the top seed for the conference playoffs with an 85-73 victory over Augsburg University last Saturday in Collegeville, Minn. Riding a three-game winning streak currently, the Johnnies were downed 75-62 at St. Olaf College Feb. 3 for their first loss during MIAC action. SJU ranks first in Division III with a 52.5 field goal percentage, converting 681-1297 field goal attempts. Senior post player Tyler Weiss leads the offense with 15.8 points per game (5th/ MIAC) while sophomore Lucas Walford averages 8.9 rebounds per game (2nd/MIAC) along with a league-best 72.5 field goal percentage (74-102).
Gustavus Notables
- The Gusties doubled their win total from last season with the Jan. 24 win over the University of St. Thomas. A 69-68 victory snapped a seven-game losing skid versus the Tommies, marking the first win over UST since 2014.
- Sharbono’s buzzer-beater at Concordia last Monday marked the first time Gustavus won a game on a last second shot since Jordan Dick made a free throw with 2.3 seconds to defeat Saint John’s 65-64 Feb. 26, 2014.
- Sharbono ranks third in the conference with a 77- for-96 clip from the free throw line.
- Gustavus owns an 8-1 record when Sharbono sinks at least four free throws. Conversely, the Gusties are 4-11 when Sharbono makes less than four chances at the charity stripe.
- The season-high 103 points versus Macalester last Wednesday was the first time Gustavus broke triple digits since a 101, 91 overtime victory over Hamline Feb. 13, 2016.