SAINT PETER, Minn. – The Gustavus women’s basketball team Saturday jumped out to a double digit lead in the first five minutes and never looked back in a 95-45 win over St. Catherine. The Gusties improve to 14-4 overall and 12-3 in the MIAC, while the Wildcats drop to 5-12 overall and 4-10 in the league.
Gustavus set the tone from the opening tipoff, taking a 13-4 lead at the 6:34 mark of the first quarter and expanded the lead to 26-10 at the end of the frame. The Gusties dominated the second quarter, outscoring the Wildcats 28-3 for a 54-13 halftime lead. Gustavus slightly let off the gas in the second half, outscoring the visitors 20-18 in the third and 21-14 in the fourth.
Sixteen Gusties saw playing time with 15 getting on the scoresheet. Anna Sanders (Jr., Vadnais Heights) led the way with 21 points on 7-of-12 shooting, including 5-of-9 from beyond the arc. Sanders also led the team with six rebounds. Kylie Baranick (Fy., Maple Grove) added 11 points and was a perfect 4-for-4 from the floor with a trio of three-pointers. The Gusties shot 58.2 percent from the floor and 50 percent from three-point range. There were 26 assists on 32 made baskets. The Gusties also won the rebound battle 35-18.
“We put ourselves in a tough situation and really didn’t show up in our last game so how responded was going to be really important today,” Head Coach Laurie Kelly said. “From the get-go we were able to limit their shots and get some things going in transition. Our shooters had a lot of confidence in our home gym and that opened things up for us. They were doubling us inside so I credit our post players for getting the ball out and making the extra pass. It was team basketball and Gustavus basketball through and through today.”
Gustavus next hosts Augsburg at 7 p.m. Monday.