SAINT PETER, Minn. – After five straight road contests and three weeks away from Gus Young Court, the No. 25 Gustavus women’s basketball team will return home Saturday as they host Concordia for a 3 p.m. contest. The Gusties enter 7-1 overall and 4-0 in the MIAC while the Cobbers are 4-5 overall and 2-2 in the league.
The Series: Saturday’s contest marks the 81st all-time meeting between the two programs with Concordia holding a 54-26 edge. Though the Cobbers hold the series lead, Gustavus has won the past six contests, with Concordia’s last win coming on Feb. 11, 2015.
Scouting the Gusties: Gustavus extended their win streak to three Wednesday when they took down Saint Benedict 67-57. Through eight games the Gusties have made their mark on both ends of the floor, ranking third in the MIAC in points per game with 72.3, while their points allowed mark of 51.4 ranks second. Caitlin Rorman leads the Black and Gold with 15.5 points per game, while Ava Gonsorowski and Paige Richert also average double figures with 12.4 and 10.1 points, respectively. Rorman currently ranks fifth in the conference in points per game, as well as rebounds with 7.4, while her 63.0 percent shooting is fourth. Gonsorowski has been the Gusties primary point guard this year, dishing out 3.5 assists for the fourth highest mark in the league.
Scouting the Cobbers: Concordia comes into the contest most recently following a 64-61 win over Carleton Wednesday. Through nine games the Cobbers average 65.7 points per contest, while allowing 70.1. As a team Concordia has been the second best MIAC team on the boards this season, averaging 38.2 rebounds per contest. They have been led offensively by Mary Sem, who is averaging 14.6 points to go along with 4.4 rebounds. Autumn Thompson and Emily Beseman have also been effective, averaging 12.3 and 12.1 points per game, respectively, with Beseman coming off a MIAC record-setting performance Wednesday when she knocked down 9-of-11 three point attempts.