SAINT PETER, Minn. – The Gustavus women’s basketball team travels to St. Olaf on Wednesday night for a 7 p.m. MIAC matchup. The Gusties enter the game 9-8 overall and 6-4 in the MIAC, while the Oles are 6-11 overall and 3-7 in the league.
LAST TIME THEY MET
After a slow start Dec. 12, the Gustavus women’s basketball team was able to create separation over St. Olaf to earn a 64-58 victory.
The first quarter didn’t see a made basket until 4:39 had passed and the score read 5-4 in favor of St. Olaf after 10 minutes. Both teams scored 15 points in the second quarter for a 20-19 Ole lead at the break. Through 20 minutes, the Gusties shot 7-25 (28 percent) and the Oles shot 9-23 (39.1 percent).
Gustavus picked it up in the second half with eight straight points to start the third quarter, gaining a lead it would not relinquish. The Gusties extended their lead to as much as 15 points midway through the fourth quarter and fended off an Ole comeback to secure the win.
Kendall Thompson (Sr., Eden Prairie, Minn.) led the Gusties with 23 points and five rebounds. Justine Lee (Sr., Dawson, Minn.) chipped in 10 points and four assists.
Gustavus shot 38.1 percent from the floor and made 13-of-16 free throws. St. Olaf committed 26 turnovers as the Gusties made 16 steals. The Black and Gold bench was key as well, outscoring the Ole bench 20-1.
SCOUTING THE GUSTIES
Gustavus has won its past two games, most recently defeating Concordia 73-36 Saturday in its best defensive performance of the season. Through 17 games the Gusties average 66.2 points and allow 58.0 per game – both ranking fourth in the MIAC. The Gusties distribute the ball well with 14.9 assists per game, which ranks third in the league. They turn the ball over the least in the MIAC, averaging 15.1 per game. Kendall Thompson and Justine Lee lead the offense, each averaging 13.5 points. Thompson also leads the team in rebounding (5.5 per game), assists (58), and steals (52). Paige Richert is another strong contributor with 10.2 points and 5.4 rebounds per game.
SCOUTING THE OLES
St. Olaf has hit a rough patch in the season, having lost five of its last six games, most recently losing 74-59 to Augsburg on Saturday. Through 17 games the Oles average 64.1 points and allow 68.7 per game. They lead the MIAC in rebounding with an average of 43.1 and a rebound margin of +7.6. K’Lynn Lewis leads the offense with 13.6 points per game and shoots 38.4 percent from the field. Makenna Ash and Ella Skrien also average double figures with 11.7 and 10.8 points per game, respectively. Ash averages a double-double with a team-best 13.1 rebounds per game.