NEW ULM, Minn. – Monday’s non-conference women’s basketball game got off to a slow start with just one bucket from each team in nearly the first five minutes, but after giving up the first two points of the game Gustavus took a lead it would not relinquish against Martin Luther in a 78-45 decision. The Gusties found their stride late in the first quarter and held at least a 20-point lead throughout the second half, cruising to their third victory in as many games to start the season.
Head Coach Laurie Kelly got valuable playing time out of all 16 players in the convincing win as her squad shot 50 percent (31-62) and held the home team to 30.4 percent (14-46) from the floor, including a 0-for-9 mark from beyond the arc. Gustavus also took advantage of turnovers, accumulating 30 points off takeaways, and outscored the Knights 48-16 in the paint.
“We pressed and picked up full court for the first three quarters, which led to a lot of points off turnovers,” Kelly said. “We didn’t do a great job offensively and had a lot of unforced errors on moving screens or bad passes. You look at some things to get better at but there were a lot of good things tonight as well. Anytime you get the whole bench on the floor that continues to help them improve.”
Mikayla Miller (Sr., Goodhue, Minn.) led the No. 16-ranked Gusties with 22 points off the bench in 16 minutes of action, shooting 9-of-14 from the floor. Kendall Thompson (Jr., Eden Prairie, Minn.) hauled in a team-high eight rebounds, while adding 11 points and four steals. As a team, the Gusties tallied 22 steals marking the most in a single game since Jan. 6, 2007 against Saint Mary’s.
Gustavus next hosts UW-River Falls at 7 p.m. Thursday.