PELLA, Iowa – The Gustavus men’s basketball team took Central (Iowa) to overtime on Saturday night, but wound up losing 89-79 to fall to 1-3 overall. The Dutch, who outscored the Gusties 12-2 in the overtime period, improve to 2-4.
Central’s ability to get to the free throw line proved to be a deciding factor in the outcome as it made 24-of-33 from the charity stripe, while the Gusties were limited to 6-of-8 free throws.
After a back-and-forth start the game, Gustavus scored 19 unanswered points to take a 29-13 advantage midway through the first. The Gusties maintained a double figure lead throughout the remainder of the opening half and led 50-35 at the break. Gustavus shot 57 percent in the opening 20 minutes, while the Dutch were limited to a 38-percent clip.
With 14:11 left in regulation, Gustavus gained its largest lead of the night at 64-46, but the home team started to then chip away at the deficit and eventually tied the score 77-77 with a minute on the clock. The Gusties missed two three-point chances in the final minute and the game was sent to overtime.
In the five-minute extra frame, the Dutch were able to limit the Gusties to just two points and completed the comeback victory.
Isaac Douglas (Jr., Montevideo) led the Gusties with 15 points, including three three-pointers and six assists. Marten Morem (So., Caledonia) added 13 points off the bench. Jake Guse (So., Waseca) posted a double-double with 10 points and as many rebounds.
The Gusties return to MIAC play 7 p.m. Wednesday when they host Hamline.