SAINT PETER, Minn. – Junior point guard Ava Gonsorowski (Jr., Esko) finished with a career high 29 points, leading the Gustavus women’s basketball to a 76-65 win over Hamline Wednesday. With the win the Gusties are now 13-3 overall and 9-2 in the MIAC, while the Pipers fall to 11-4 overall and 6-4 in the league.
“As far as offensively, 76 is a lot of points for us, but defensively 65 is too many to give up,” said Head Coach Laurie Kelly. “But this was a really important game for us, so it’s good to get that win.”
The Gusties jumped out to an early 11-5 lead through the first five minutes of the game, thanks to back to back three-point baskets from Marisa Gustafson (Jr., Mahtomedi) and Maddy Rice (Fy., Forest Lake). First-year Anna Sanders (Fy., Vadnais Heights) would hit another three for Gustavus to give them a 16-12 lead at the end of the first.
The Gustie’s first five points of the second quarter came from Gonsorowski, as Gustavus lead 21-16 with 7:34 to go. The Pipers would then score six straight points over the next three minutes for their first lead at 22-21. The Gusties would reclaim a 28-23 lead with baskets from Gustafson and Caitlin Rorman (Fy., Blue Earth) before both teams exchanged buckets and headed to the break with Gustavus holding a 33-29 lead.
Gonsorowski and Rorman lead the Gusties into the second half, scoring 10 of the teams first 12 points to help build a 45-33 lead. Hamline would cut the lead to as little as four with 2:58 remaining, but Gonsorowski would score seven straight to take a 57-48 lead to the final quarter.
As the Pipers increased their full court pressure to try to climb back in the game, the Gusties were able to break through and lead by double digits for the final nine minutes en rout to the 76-65 final.
Gonsorowski also added seven rebounds to her career night, while Paige Richert (Jr., Comfrey) led the team with 11 boards. Gustafson and Rorman finished with 18 and 16 points, respectively.
Kelly had a lot of praise for her starting point guard. “Hamline really tried to pressure her, but she did a great job leading and did a really nice job finishing at the rim.”
The Gusties are next in action Saturday when they travel to Macalaster for a 3 p.m. contest.