SAINT PETER, Minn. – The No. 21 Gustavus women’s basketball team used a strong fourth quarter to defeat St. Olaf 65-56 on Saturday afternoon. With the win the Gusties improve to 10-1 overall and 6-0 in the MIAC, while the Oles fall to 5-6 overall and 2-4 in conference play.
“We really didn’t bring our ‘A’ game today and didn’t hit shots, but to hold a team in the 50’s is always good,” said Head Coach Laurie Kelly. “Credit to them they really packed it in and used their length, but we need to get more interior touches and we’re a better shooting team than what we saw today. It’s hard as a player when you’re struggling offensively but I feel like we were able to battle and make a few plays in the fourth quarter to get the win.”
The teams got off to a slow start in the first half, with neither gaining a lot of steam early. Gustavus was able to get out to a 9-3 in the early going of the first quarter. St. Olaf however would bounce back, and cut the deficit to 13-11 after one quarter of play.
Play picked up in the second quarter, with the two teams trading buckets to a 19-19 tie midway through the frame before baskets by Ava Gonsorowski (Jr., Esko) and Gabby Bowlin (Jr., Winona), followed by a Caitlin Rorman (Fy., Blue Earth) three-pointer pushed the Gustie lead to seven. St. Olaf would answer late, scoring seven of the last nine points to pull the Gustavus lead to 28-26 lead after one half.
The third quarter was much of the same as the first half. The Oles were able to jump out to a lead in the quarter, but a late three pointer by Gonsorowski gave Gustavus a 44-42 lead heading into the final frame.
In the fourth quarter the Gusties were slowly able to build their lead, eventually gaining a nine point lead with 1:56 to play on a layup by Rorman, before free throws would ice out the contest and give the Gusties a 65-56 win.
Rorman led the offense with 16 points, while Paige Richert (Jr., Comfrey) added 14 points and 10 rebounds for a double-double and Gonsorowski had 14 points to go along with five assists. A key for the Gusties is that they were able to force 24 Ole turnovers while only committing 13.
Gustavus is back in action on Wednesday when they host Saint Mary’s for a 7 p.m. contest.