SAINT PETER, Minn. – The Gustavus women’s basketball team closed out the regular season Wednesday with its most dominant defensive performance of the season, beating Saint Ben’s 57-36. The Gusties finish the regular season 19-4 overall and 17-3 in the MIAC for second place, and will host the winner of the No. 7 Concordia vs. No. 10 St. Catherine at 5:45 p.m. Tuesday.
Gustavus allowing just 36 points and 21.7 percent shooting from its opponent is a season best for the defense, highlighted by holding the Bennies scoreless in the second quarter.
“We did a good job of executing the scout in regards to knowing what each player’s strength was and trying to take that away,” Assistant Coach Dan Wolfe said. “I thought we rebounded well. Saint Ben’s had some open looks and did not connect on shots, did a better job of that in the third quarter, but any time you hold a team to zero points in a quarter you must be doing something right. Given the circumstances of the game tonight, I think Coach Kelly and the entire coaching staff has a lot to be proud of. Kids stepped up, rallied, and got the job done.”
Both Head Coach Laurie Kelly and Assistant Coach Kelsey Letourneau were absent from the game due to personal reasons, making Wolfe the acting head coach while Assistant Athletic Director Kari Eckheart assisted on the bench.
The game started out back and fourth with the score tied three times before the Gusties closed out the first quarter with six consecutive points for a 17-11 lead heading to the second. The second frame was all Gustavus as it outscored the Bennies 10-0 and held the visitors to 0-of-17 shooting from the field.
Trailing 27-11 to start the third quarter, the Bennies rallied back by bringing the deficit down to five (35-30) with 1:54 left in the quarter. The Gusties responded with an 11-1 run to close out the third and start the fourth, regaining a double-digit lead for the rest of the way.
Gustavus shot 41.1 percent from the field, led by Emma Kniefel’s (So., Medford) 13 points. Anna Sanders (Jr., Vadnais Heights) and Izzy Quick (So., Brooklyn Park) each contributed nine points, while Grace Benz (Sr., Steele, N.D.) hauled in a game-high 12 rebounds.