CLAREMONT, Calif. – The Gustavus women’s basketball team competed in its first of two games in California Friday, defeating Pomona-Pizter 73-65. With the win the Gusties move to 4-0 while the Sagehens fall to 1-4.
In the first quarter, the Gusties were able to slowly gain a lead, climbing to a 14-13 advantage through the first seven-plus minutes of play. Gustavus finished out the first quarter strong, with an 8-0 run, shutting the Sagehens out the last 3:42 to take a 22-13 edge after one quarter.
Pomona was able to score the first five points of the second quarter, but the Gusties would rally, answering with an eight point run to go up 30-18. The Sagehens though, were able to battle back into it, making it a 37-33 Gustavus lead after one half.
The third quarter played the most back-and-forth, with the two teams trading buckets nearly the entire quarter. The Black and Gold outscored the Sagehens 19-18 in the frame to carry a 56-51 lead into the fourth.
In the final frame, the teams got off to a slow start, but Pomona-Pitzer was able to hang around and keep the game close, pulling it within two at 63-61 lead with 4:00 to play. With the Gusties leading 65-63 with 1:40 remaining, Caitlin Rorman (Fy., Blue Earth) found Anna Sanders (Fy., Vadnais Heights) on a back cut, before Sanders found Paige Richert (Jr., Comfrey) on the ensuing possession to push the Gusties up 69-63 with 0:46 seconds to play. The Gusties would make free throws late to take the 73-65 win.
Rorman led the Gusties in the contest with 19 points and nine rebounds, while Richert added 12 points. Ava Gonsorowski (Jr., Esko) and Sanders both had solid days with Gonsorowksi adding 10 points and five assits, while Sanders poured in 10 points to go along with six boards.
The Gusties are back in action tomorrow at 6:30 when they take on Claremont-Mudd-Scripps.