ST. PETER, Minn. – The Gustavus men’s basketball team battled tooth and nail to the bitter end Saturday against Carleton in its season finale, but a last-second shot to tie the game hit the iron and the Knights escaped with a 63-60 win. The Gusties finish the season 5-20 overall and 5-15 in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, while the Knights improve to 17-8 overall and 14-6 in the league.
Gustavus and Carleton were both efficient in the front court throughout the first half – the Gusties converting at 57.7 percent (15-26) and the Knights at 56 percent (14-25). After trailing 21-15 to start the game, the Black and Gold went on a 15-3 run over a five-minute span to take a 30-24 advantage at the 5:55 mark. The Knights closed the gap to finish the half and Gustavus held a 38-37 lead at halftime.
The Gusties maintained a slim advantage for a majority of the second frame and the Knights were able to tie the score six times before finally taking a 61-60 lead on a pair of free throws with 2:09 remaining in the game. Carleton converted on its next offensive possession to take a 63-60 lead and the Gusties missed their last four shots from the floor to suffer a season-ending loss.
In his final game in a Gustie uniform, Peter Kruize (Sr., St. Peter, Minn.) led the team with 22 points. Kruize finishes his career with 887 points. Riley Sharobono (So., Marshall, Minn.) added 13 points as he finished the season with a team-high 363 points. Kelsey Thomas (Jr., Wiesbaden, Germany) was a presence down low with a career-high 13 rebounds.
“It’s fun to watch them grow up,” Head Coach Mark Hanson said of his seniors after their final collegiate game. “To hear their questions and the things they didn’t do as freshman, and then to see them step up into leadership roles, it’s like watching kids grow up in front of you and I’m very proud to be their coach.”