SAINT PETER, Minn. – The Gustavus women’s basketball team travels to Bethel on Wednesday for a key MIAC playoff seeding matchup. The Gusties enter the contest one game behind the Royals at 10-6 in the MIAC (13-10 overall), while Bethel is 11-5 in the league (17-6 overall). Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. in Arden Hills, Minn.
THE SERIES
Tonight’s game marks the 68th meeting between Gustavus and Bethel on the hardwood with the Gusties leading the all-time series 41-26. Gustavus won the most recent matchup 77-60 on Feb. 10 last season. Bethel won the first game of last season’s series 66-64 on Jan. 13.
SCOUTING THE GUSTIES
Gustavus clinched its 19th consecutive trip to the MIAC playoffs last Saturday with a 69-56 win over St. Kate’s, extending its record of being the only MIAC women’s basketball team to reach the postseason every year since the conference playoffs began in 2001. The Gusties rank in the MIAC’s top-three in field goal percent (41.2), assists (15.3), steals (12.3), points against (57.7), turnovers (15.0), and personal fouls (15.9). Kendall Thompson leads the offense with 14.3 points per game, while shooting 41.8 percent from the field. Thompson also leads the team with 70 steals and is second in both rebounds (5.6) and assists (80). Justine Lee averages 13.3 points and is 20 points shy of recording her 1,000th career point. Lee has also played in 109 career games and is four shy of breaking the program record. Paige Richert is the third Gustie to average double figures with 10.3 points and leads the team with 5.7 rebounds per game.
SCOUTING THE ROYALS
Bethel is on a three-game winning streak and has won six of its last seven games, most recently defeating Concordia 82-39 on Saturday. The Royals lead the MIAC in scoring with 77.9 points per game and steals at 16.7 per game. They also rank in the league’s top-three in field goal percent (47.0), assists (16.2), blocks (4.6), points against (56.2), opponents’ field goal percent (37.0), and rebound margin (+4.5). Taite Anderson and Hannah Johnson lead the offense with 16.5 points per game apiece. Johnson averages a double-double with a team-high 10.4 rebounds per game. Makenna Pearson also averages double figures with 12.8 points and leads the team with 41 three-pointers made.