ST. PAUL, Minn. – Ava Gonsorowski (Jr., Esko) posted a career-high 23 points, all in the first three quarters, as the Gustavus women’s basketball team defeated Hamline 76-57. With the win the Gusties improve to 5-1 overall and 2-0 in the MIAC while the Pipers fall to 4-2 overall and 1-2 in the MIAC.
“We came out kind of flat in the game, but with our trip back from California being delayed and the girls getting short sleep we responded well,” said Head Coach Laurie Kelly. “Ava really kept us in it in the first half because she was scoring in so many different ways and creating a lot of opportunities. In the third quarter I felt like we got back to Gustie basketball by playing more solid defensively, and when we play better on defense it translates to better offense and that quarter was evident of that.
The Gusties got out to a slow start, falling behind 12-4 in the early going, but Gonsorowski’s effort pushed the Gusties ahead, as she notched 14 first quarter points to put Gustavus up 22-15 after one quarter.
The two teams traded buckets on and off in the second frame, with the Gusties taking a 37-27 lead with 2:03 to play. Hamline would close out the quarter scoring the last five points to pull the Gustavus lead to 37-32 at the break.
In the third quarter the Black and Gold made their mark and took control of the game. They were able to open up the quarter on an 8-0 run and continued their offensive output in the quarter, outscoring Hamline 24-8 in the frame to take a 61-40 lead into the fourth.
Gustavus kept their momentum rolling into the fourth, outscoring Hamline 12-6 in the first five minutes, before maintaining their lead to the finish for a 76-57 victory.
Gonsorowksi led all scorers with 23 points, to go along with four rebounds and six assists. Caitlin Rorman (Fy., Blue Earth) and Marisa Gustafson (Jr., Mahtomedi) each added 13, while Paige Richert (Jr., Comfrey) notched 11. The Gusties shot 52.7 percent in the contest compared to 37.3 from Hamline, and also out-rebounded the Pipers 42-24
The Gusties are next in action Saturday when they head to St. Thomas for a 3 p.m. contest.