(Photo courtesy of David Faulkner, SPX Sports.)
SAINT PETER, Minn. – The Gustavus women’s basketball team will travel to Saint Mary’s on Wednesday night for a 7 p.m. contest. The Gusties enter the matchup 17-6 overall and 13-5 in the MIAC, while the Cardinals are 4-19 overall and 3-14 in the conference.
The Series: Wednesday’s contest marks the 80th all-time meeting between the two teams with Gustavus leading the series 54-25. The two teams met earlier this year on Jan. 8, with the Gusties taking an 82-65 victory.
Scouting the Gusties: Gustavus comes into the contest most recenlty following an 82-69 loss to Bethel. Through 23 games, Gustavus averages 73.0 points per game which ranks third in the league while its 60.1 points allowed ranks fourth. The Gusties have been efficient from the field, shooting 45.6 percent which ranks second in the conference, while their three point percentage of 34.2 ranks fourth. Caitlin Rorman leads the Gusties averaging 16.4 points per game to go along with a team-best 5.9 rebounds. Ava Gonsorowski has been strong in the backcourt, averaging 13.1 points and adds a team-high 3.3 assists.
Scouting the Cardinals: Saint Mary’s is most recently coming of a 79-61 win over Hamline Saturday. The Cardinals have won two of their past three, including a win over Bethel to hand the Royals their only loss of the season. Saint Mary’s currently ranks seventh in the conference in scoring at 63.1 points per game, while they allow 71.1 which ranks 10th. Shayley Vesel leads the Cardinals with 15.2 points per game, while adding 4.4 rebounds. Brooklyn Paulson also averages double figures with 12.8 points per game, while making a team best 51 shots from behind the arc.