SAINT PETER, Minn. – The Gustavus men’s basketball team will travel to Arden Hills, Minn. on Monday night to take on Bethel in a 7 p.m. contest. The Gusties enter the contest 7-9 overall and 4-7 in MIAC play while the Royals are 9-7 overall with a 6-5 conference mark.
The Series
Tonight’s contest marks the 89th all-time meeting between the two teams with the Gusties holding a 59-29 advantage. Bethel, has won the last four meeting between the two teams, taking the last contest on Feb. 10, 2018, by a score of 70-69.
Scouting the Gusties
Gustavus has won back-to-back games for the first time this season, most recently defeating Concordia on Saturday in overtime by a score of 76-74. In both of their victories, the Gusties have amassed 19 assists, which is nearly five above their season average. Riley Sharbono, who leads the team in scoring at 13.5 points per game, has been 50 percent from behind the arc over the last four games (7-of-14). First-year Nolan Malo is averaging double-figures as he averages 10.4 points and 5.0 rebounds. As a team Gustavus is fourth in field goal percentage and third in three in three point percentage in the MIAC.
Scouting the Royals
Similarly to the Gusties, Bethel is coming off an overtime victory Saturday where they defeated Hamline by a score of 68-62. Derek Magnuson, the teams leading scorer on the season (16.0 points per game), scored 21 points to go along with 12 rebounds in the victory. The Royals also have a trio of other players averaging double in Granger Kingland, Jack Jenson, and Matt Ambriz. As a team Bethel is second in the conference in both rebounding and rebound margin.