WINONA, Minn. — The Gustavus women’s basketball team concluded its regular season Saturday afternoon, rolling to a 75-51 victory over Saint Mary’s. With the win, the Gusties improve their winning streak to 15, and finish the season with a conference record of 20-2.
Saint Mary’s, having already been eliminated from playoff contention, was hoping to foil the Gusties’ winning streak on Saturday. Fortunately for the Gusties, the Cardinals were no match for the high-powered offense of the MIAC’s top team and the No. 14 team in the nation. The Cardinals battled from behind twice in the first quarter to change the lead, taking their biggest lead at 7-4, but Syd Hauger (Jr., Springfield) showed the Cardinals just what they’d be getting into, netting back-to-back treys to give the Gusties the lead that would hold for the rest of the game. Hauger finished the first frame with nine points for a 15-10 lead heading into quarter two.
From there, the Gusties put forth a balanced offense led by Emma Kniefel (Jr., Medford). Kniefel, along with Kylie Baranick (So., Maple Grove) and Morgan Kelly (So., Saint Peter) put up six points each in the second quarter, extending the Gustie lead to 41-24 at the half.
The Cardinals gave their best fight in the third quarter, outscoring the Gusties 13-11, with all 13 points coming from just two players. The Gusties, unfazed, rattled off 23 points in response in the fourth, including six from Anna Sanders (Sr., Vadnais Heights) and five from Riley Queensland (Jr., Grand Meadow). Saint Mary’s had the last word, putting up two points to end the game at 75-51 in favor of the Black & Gold.
Kniefel led the Gustie offense with 16 points on the day, and was joined by three more teammates in double figures. Baranick and Kelly each added 11, while Hauger finished the game with 10 points, including a perfect 3-for-3 mark from the arc. Grace Benz (Sr., Steele, N.D.) once again led the game’s rebounding, posting eight total, while Baranick held a team- and game-high in steals at five.
The Gusties will host the winner of the MIAC Quarterfinal to be determined Tuesday for a MIAC Playoff Semifinal on Thursday the 23rd in Saint Peter.