The Gustavus men’s basketball team ended its regular season with an impressive 66-46 win over Carleton in Northfield on Saturday afternoon. The win pushes the Gusties record to 20-5 overall and 18-2 in the MIAC. The 18 wins in league play ties a school record set during the 1995-96 season. This is also the eighth time in the past nine years that Gustavus has posted 20 wins in a season. Gustavus senior forward Tim Brown, who scored his 1,000th career point in the game, led all scorers with 21 points.
The hot-shooting Gusties got off to a quick 16-6 start and never looked back in posting their 20th win of the season. Coach Mark Hanson’s squad led by as many as 16 points at 22-6 in the first half. The Knights out-scored the Gusties 17-5 in the final seven minutes of the half cutting the Gustavus lead to four at 27-23 at the intermission.
The second half was all Gustavus, as the Gusties 59.1 percent from the field (13-22) and out-scored Carleton 39-23 to claim the 66-46 victory. Gustavus shot lights out from behind the arc making eight-of-11 in the game. Tim Brown led the way as he knocked down five-of-six treys.
For the game, Gustavus shot 55.6 percent from the field (25-45) and 88.9 percent from the free throw line (8-9). Carleton shot 36.6 percent from the field (15-41) and 90.9 percent from the free throw line (10-11). Gustavus held a substantial 31-17 advantage in rebounding in the contest.
Freshman post Phil Sowden scored 10 points to join Brown in double figures. Carleton was led by Tanner Schiek with 10 points.
By virtue of winning the MIAC regular season title, the Gusties earn the #1 seed in the league playoffs and get a bye in the first round of the tournament. Gustavus will host the lowest remaining seed on Thursday, Feb. 26 at 7:30 pm. First round games in the MIAC playoffs will have #3 seed Concordia hosting #6 seed St. Thomas and #4 seed Bethel hosting #5 seed Carleton on Tuesday, Feb. 24.