MORRIS, Minn. – The men’s basketball team traveled to Minnesota-Morris on Saturday afternoon and took home the 74-71 victory. With the win the Gusties move to 4-6 overall while the Cougars fall to 4-7.
After the Gusties jumped out to a 9-3 lead to start the game the Cougars went on a huge 25-7 run to gain a 28-16 edge. They extended their lead to 13 two separate times but Gustavus closed out the half on a 9-1 run capped off by a Logan Rezac (So., Andover, Minn.) three-pointer to shrink the Cougars lead to 38-33 at the break.
The second half was a back and forth battle from the get-go with the teams trading baskets throughout most of the second half. With four minutes to play the Gusties tied the game at 57-57 when Spencer Tollefson (Sr., New Richland, Minn.) got into the middle of the lane and knocked down a jump shot. The Cougars knocked down a three on there next possession but first-year Nolan Malo (Fy., Owatonna, Minn.) responded quickly on the other end hitting a corner three to even up the game at 60-60.
After the Cougars scored and then converted a free throw to take a three point lead, Vannis Smith (Jr., Crystal Lake, Ill.) drove for a layup to pull the game within one. The Cougars scored a layup of their own with 1:10 remaining to take a three point lead. With 15 seconds left the Gusties missed a shot and the Cougars got the rebound with a chance to seal the game at the free throw line. After both free throws were missed the Gusties had one more chance and made the most of it. With time winding down the ball got kicked out to Rezac near half court and he took a dribble in and launched a three from well beyond the arc that found the bottom of the net to tie the game at 65 and send it to overtime.
The Cougars started overtime on top notching the first four points but the Gusties went on an 8-0 run to take a 73-69 lead. The Cougars scored with 30 seconds to play to cut the lead to two, but a Tollefson free throw pushed the Gusties lead to three and the Cougars missed their two three point attempts with time winding down as Gustavus took home the victory.
The second half comeback for the Gusties was contingent on tough defense as they forced 15 Minnesota-Morris turnovers.
CJ Woda (So., Maple Grove, Minn.) had himself a solid day for the Gusties as he totaled 15 points and 11 rebounds for a double-double. Rezac was the leading scorer for Gustavus on the day as he had 17 points, six rebounds, and four steals.
The Gusties will next be in action on Wednesday when they travel to St. Thomas for a 7 p.m. contest.