CJ Woda (photo courtesy of David Faulkner, SPX Sports)
SAINT PAUL, Minn. – The Gustavus men’s basketball team lost its first conference game of the season Saturday, falling 90-66 at No. 5-ranked St. Thomas. The Gusties drop to 2-4 overall and 2-1 in the MIAC, while the Tommies improve to 7-1 overall and 3-0 in the league.
The early-season ball control woes continued for Gustavus as it had 25 turnovers, including 18 in the first half. The Gusties were slow out of the gates as well, missing their first seven shots and falling behind 17-0 in the first six minutes of play. The Tommies continued to increased their lead and went into the locker room at halftime with a 48-18 advantage.
The second half was much better for Gustavus as it outscored the home team 48-42, but the damage was already done and the deficit was too much to dig out of in a decisive loss.
Nolan Malo (So., Owatonna) led the Gustie offense with 15 points on 6-of-7 shooting from the floor, including 3-of-4 from three-point range. Isaac Douglas (Jr., Montevideo) and Peter Lundquist (Jr., Rochester) added 13 points apiece. As a team, the Gusties shot 49.1 percent from the floor, but allowed the Tommies to shoot 52.1 percent. The Gusties outrebounded the home team 37-30.
Gustavus next hosts Saint John’s at 7 p.m. Wednesday.