SAINT PETER, Minn. – It took overtime to decide Saturday afternoon’s contest versus Concordia where the Gustavus men’s basketball team snuck out with a 76-74 victory. With the win the Gusties move to 7-9 overall and 4-7 in the MIAC while the Cobbers fall to 5-11 overall and 4-7 in the conference.
The game got off to a quick start with both teams trading baskets early and neither team able to gain a big lead. The Gusties led 27-25 with 5:56 to play in the half and they went on a 14-6 run to widen the lead to 10 with 1:35 to play. The Cobbers then scored four straight before Isaac Douglas (So., Montevideo, Minn.) scored with a few seconds remaining to help Gustavus head into the half ahead 43-35.
The Cobbers, who had came into the game allowing just 65.2 points per game in their last six contests, ramped up the defense in the second half and made baskets hard to come by for the Gusties. Halfway through the second half Concordia had outscored Gustavus 16-13 and the home team clung to a five point lead. The Black and Gold went on a cold spell though as they failed to make a field goal for over six and a half minutes. During that stretch the visitors went on a 12-3 and took a four point advantage. The field goal that ended the drought for Gustavus was a big one though, as Logan Rezac (So., Andover, Minn.) buried a three to cut the deficit to one with 3:16 to play.
With under three minutes to play Concordia converted a layup before Riley Sharbono (Sr., Marshall, Minn.) knocked down two free throws with 59 seconds remaining to keep the deficit at one. The Gusties eventually had to foul the Cobbers who made one free throw and held a two-point lead with fifteen seconds to play. Gustavus missed their first shot attempt with time winding down but Rezac was there to grab one of his 10 rebounds that he tipped up and in to tie the game with under three seconds to play. The visitors threw up a prayer from past half court that missed and the game was sent to overtime.
The Cobbers got the scoring started in overtime with a layup but Nolan Malo (Fy., Owatonna, Minn.) responded to even it back up at 68. After three straight possessions without a basket Charlie Krambeer (Sr., Rushford, Minn.) made his mark on the game when he knocked down a triple to give Gustavus a 71-68 lead. Concordia got the next two buckets and took a one-point lead but Malo responded with another layup to give the home team the lead and after Concordia answered with a basket of their own Malo put the home team back on top again with just 35 seconds to play with another tough basket in the paint. Concordia turned it over on the next possession and after the Gusties converted one of two free throws the Cobbers missed their last second three and Gustavus took home the victory.
Malo led all Gusties with 17 points to go along with five rebounds. To go along with a game-high 10 rebounds Rezac added nine points off the bench as well as three assists. Riley Sharbono added 15 points for Gustavus, going 6-of-6 from the free throw line.
After shooting 63 percent in the first half, the Gusties shot just 24.1 percent in the second half. The Gusties, who came into the contest last in the MIAC in rebounds per game, won the rebound battle 33-29. Gustavus also dominated the assist category dishing out 19 dimes to just five from Concordia.
The Gusties will next be in action on Monday when they travel to Bethel for a 7 p.m. contest.