The Gustavus men’s basketball team snapped a three-game losing streak with a 91-37 win over Macalester College at Gus Young Court on Monday night. Head Coach Mark Hanson’s squad were 37-for-65 from the floor for a 56.9 shooting percentage and forced the Scots to commit 23 turnovers, resulting in 37 Gustie points. The Gustavus reserves poured in 60 points as Tyler Grey and Seth Anderson scored off of the bench to lead the team with 10 points apiece.
Both squads traded baskets in the opening minutes of the game as the Gusties held a one-point lead as five different players contributed to a 13-0 run that brought the score to 20-6. Macalester pulled to within ten points when James Murrey drove the lane for two points with 4:40 remaining in the half. However, Gustavus hit six of its next eight shots to close out the period with a 37-19 lead as the Gusties shot 46.9 percent on 15-for-32 shooting, while holding the Scots to 33.3 percent on 7-for-21.
Coach Hanson’s squad picked up where it left off in the second half as Gustavus made four straight shots for a 45-19 lead, forcing Macalester to call a timeout. The teams exchanged points until the Gusties went on a 21-0 run as the Scots turned the ball over seven times during the stretch for a 76-30 score with 5:06 left in the contest. Gustavus finished the second half 22-for-33 from the field for 66.7 percent, while forcing Macalester to commit 14 turnovers.
Fourteen different Gustie players scored led by Tyler Grey and Seth Anderson, who scored 10 points each. Of the team’s 18 assists, Phil Wirtjes dished out a game-high four assists. Gustavus dominated every statistical category, including a 39-23 advantage on the boards. The Scots were led offensively by Colin Keeley’s nine points and six rebounds.
Gustavus, which improved to 4-5 overall and 3-1 in the MIAC, will face St. Olaf in Northfield on Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m. Macalester, which fell to 0-11 overall and 0-6 in league play, hosts Concordia on Wednesday.