SAINT PETER, Minn. – After scoring 26 points in the first two quarters combined, the No. 21 Gustavus women’s basketball team put up 31 points in the third quarter en route to a 75-64 victory over No. 15 Augsburg. With the win, the Gusties improve to 12-3 overall and 8-2 in the MIAC, while the Auggies fall to 12-3 overall and 8-2 in the league.
“It was a really hard fought battle,” said Head Coach Laurie Kelly. “I thought we handled their pressure overall pretty well throughout the game. Coming off a tough loss, I am just really proud of this team being able to bounce back.”
Augsburg opened the game up with the first bucket before Paige Richert (Jr., Comfrey) tied it up for Gustavus. The Gusties would have to go the remainder of the quarter without one of their key post players as Richert picked up two early fouls in a physical game. The Gusties lead 10-4 with 2:42 to go before seven straight points from Augsburg gave them an 11-10 advantage. Gustavus battled back for a 17-12 lead at the end of the first quarter. First-years Caitlin Rorman (Fy. Blue Earth) and Maddy Rice (Fy. Forest Lake) lead the way with eight and five points, respectively.
A total of nine Gustie turnovers in the second quarter helped Augsburg go on a 16-5 run through seven and a half minutes before four straight points from Rorman brought Gustavus within four at 28-24. Both teams would exchange buckets and go into the break with Augsburg leading 30-26. Over a third of the Auggies points (11) came off Gustavus turnovers in the first half.
The Gusties jumped out to a 36-32 lead out of the break, thanks to two three-point baskets by Marissa Gustafson (Jr., Mahtomedi) and layups from Richert and Rorman. A three by the Auggies gave them their final lead of the day at 37-36 before the Gusties put together a 21-8 run over the final seven minutes to lead 57-45 going into the fourth. Gustafson shot perfect from all over the court in the third, going 4-of-4 from the field and 2-of-2 at the free throw line. Three of her field goals came from behind the arc, giving her 13 of the teams 31 points in the quarter.
“I thought the third quarter was the key for us,” said Kelly. “We were fortunate to get a big gap there and be able to finish and get the win today.”
Augsburg cut the lead to seven with 5:52 to play in the final quarter, but then missed five straight shots on the offensive end. The Gusties were able to put the game away with superb free throw shooting, hitting all nine attempts from the charity stripe. On the day, Gustavus made 23 of their 24 free throw attempts, which is a season high 95.8%.
“I thought we did a really good job of managing the clock at the end, and when it got to the situation where we needed to make free throws our kids stepped up, and that’s critical,” added Kelly.
Rorman finished with a career high 25 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for her third double-double of the season. Gustafson was just one point shy of her career high, with 18 points to go along with six rebounds. Richert would also finish in double figures, as she tallied 12 points while shooting 5-of-7 from the floor.
Gustavus is back in action Wednesday when they host Hamline for a 7 p.m. tip-off.