SAINT PETER, Minn. – The Gustavus men’s basketball team returns to conference play 7 p.m. Monday at home against Carleton. The Gusties enter the contest 3-8 overall and 3-3 in the MIAC, while the Knights are 5-6 overall and 2-4 in the league.
THE SERIES
Monday’s game marks the 95th meeting between Gustavus and Carleton on the hardwood with the Gusties leading the all-time series 57-38. Last season Gustavus swept Carleton with a 69-61 win in Northfield on January 5th and a 67-61 win in St. Peter on February 2nd.
SCOUTING THE GUSTIES
The Gusties returned to conference play Saturday, losing to St. Olaf 68-84. Through 11 games, the Gusties average 73.6 points and shoot 44.3 percent from the field, ranking seventh and sixth in the MIAC, respectively, with their 4.6 blocks per game and 16.8 assists per game ranking first in the conference. Logan Rezac continues to lead the starting lineup with 13.8 points, while Kaleb Feahn has been strong the last three games, averaging 14.7 points. Nolan Malo and Isaac Douglas have also been strong offensively, averaging 10.3 and 9.8 points, respectively, while Douglas has amassed a team-leading 41 assists and 11 steals.
SCOUTING THE KNIGHTS
The Knights split a pair of games over the holiday break, falling to Viterbo University and defeating Macalester. Through 11 games Carleton averages 75.5 points and shoots 49.7 percent from the floor ranking fourth and first in the MIAC, respectively. The Knights shoot 37.3 percent from behind the arc, ranking fourth in the conference. They struggle to defend opponents from long range, ranking 10th in the league with an opponent’s three points percentage of 39.3 percent. Jeremy Beckler leads the Knights with 19.5 points per game, while Kent Hanson ranks second on the team with an average of 18.5 points and leads the team with 7.9 rebounds.