MOORHEAD, Minn. – It was a historic Saturday afternoon for the Gustavus men’s basketball team, but unfortunately for the Gusties, they came out on the short side of a 114-107 double overtime decision at Concordia College. It was the first double overtime game played by Gustavus since Feb. 1, 1989, and second overtime loss of the season. The Gusties fall to 9-12 overall and 6-10 in the MIAC, while the Cobbers improve to 14-7 overall and 11-5 in the league.
Gary Cooper (Sr. Detroit, Mich.) was the player of the game as he led all scorers with a career-high 39 points on 12-of-21 shooting from the field. The senior wing made 14-of-15 free throws and led the team in rebounds (6) and assists (4). Cooper’s 39 points are the most scored by a Gustie since Seth Anderson’s program record 45 points against Buena Vista on Nov. 15, 2011. The 39-point mark is the most in a MIAC game by a Gustie since D.L. Smith scored 41 against Minnesota-Duluth on Jan. 1, 1957.
The two squads tied the score three times and traded the lead twice in the opening six minutes of the game. Gustavus then scored seven unanswered points for a 17-10 advantage at the midway point of the first half. Concordia would cut its deficit to two points on three separate occasions, but the Gusties maintained their lead and went into halftime with a 34-27 advantage.
Gustavus increased its lead in the second frame by going on a 17-4 run, resulting in a 51-36 score at the 14:34 mark. During that stretch, the Gusties made seven straight shots, including three from beyond the arc. Concordia traded baskets with the Gusties over the next four minutes and then cut into the double-digit lead at the midway point of the half, 54-45. The Cobbers continued to slowly chip away at their deficit and made it a one-point game, 70-69, with 1:14 remaining in regulation. A pair of free throws by Cooper with 18 seconds left gave the Black and Gold a 77-73 lead, but Concordia answered with a three-pointer on the ensuing possession to bring it back to one point. Cooper was then fouled and sent to the line where he missed the first and made the second for a 78-76 lead with eight second on the clock. Concordia then raced the ball down the court where Brady Syverson missed a short jumper with two seconds, but got his own rebound and made the game-tying layup as time expired to send the game into overtime.
Concordia carried its momentum into overtime by taking a four-point lead after its first two possessions. With the Cobbers leading 84-80 with 3:12 to go, the Gusties fought back with seven unanswered points to take a three-point advantage. After a pair of free throws by Alec Koster (Jr., Redwood Falls, Minn.) gave Gustavus a 92-89 lead with 17 seconds remaining, Concordia once again answered with a three-pointer by Tom Frasse with eight seconds on the clock to tie the game. Cooper brought the ball up the court and pulled up at the top of the key for the game-winner, but his shot bounced off the rim and the game went to a second overtime.
The Cobbers started the second extra frame with the hot hand, making their first three shots for a six-point lead. Gustavus was able to cut the deficit to two (101-99) midway through the period, but Concordia responded with eight unanswered points en route to a seven-point victory.
Gustavus shot 52.2 percent (36-69) from the field, compared to 58.1 percent (36-62) by Concordia. Both teams shot well from the charity stripe – 25-30 by the Gusties and 31-39 by the Cobbers. Concordia won the battle of the boards 35-30 and forced 15 turnovers. The Gusties forced 16 turnovers and tallied eight steals.
Besides Cooper, three other Gusties reached double figure points – Brody Ziegler (Sr., Mankato, Minn.) with 11, and Brian Jacobs (Sr., Lake Crystal, Minn.) and Chris Narum (Sr., Eagan, Minn.) with 10 each.
Gustavus wraps up its road trip with a 7 p.m. game Wednesday at St. Olaf.