ST. PETER, Minn. – The Gustavus women’s basketball team hosts Bethel in its final home regular season game at Gus Young Court on Saturday for Senior Day. The Gusties enter the game 18-4 overall and 12-3 in the MIAC, while the Royals are 16-6 overall and 11-4 in the league.
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Senior Day: As is tradition as Gustavus, the final home game of the regular season is designated as Senior Day and a special tribute is made to the individuals who have dedicated themselves to Gustavus women’s basketball the past four years. This year, the Athletics Department, Head Coach Laurie Kelly, parents, and fans salute the three student-athletes who have represented the women’s basketball program with pride and class throughout their collegiate careers. Student-athletes honored today for their years of commitment include Emee Udo (Apple Valley, Minn.), Mikayla Miller (Goodhue, Minn.), and Miranda Rice (Forest Lake, Minn.).
The Series: Saturday’s game marks the 57th meeting between Gustavus and Bethel with the Gusties holding a 40-26 advantage in the all-time series. Bethel escaped with a 66-64 win in the first game of the series this season on Jan. 13 in Arden Hills, Minn. Despite holding a five-point lead early in the fourth quarter, the Gusties were unable to fend off a Bethel comeback as the home team ensued with a 15-3 run and held on for the two-point win.
Miranda Rice led the Gusties with a double-double, scoring 20 points and hauling in a career-high 17 rebounds – five more than her previous high. Rice joined the exclusive 1,000-point, 500-rebound club in the Gustavus record book, becoming just the seventh player in program history to reach the two plateaus. Mikayla Miller and Justine Lee also reached double figures scoring with 16 and 11 points, respectively. As a team, the Gusties shot 34.4 percent (22-64) from the floor and just 2-of-12 from three-point range. Bethel shot 42.6 percent (23-54) and out-rebounded the Gusties 42-36.
Last time out: The Gusties got off to a slow start Wednesday at Macalester, leading by just five points at halftime, but made some second half adjustments to capture a 76-54 victory. Miranda Rice was a strong presence throughout the game, scoring 16 points in the first half and finishing with 27 points on 10-of-16 shooting from the floor.
The first quarter featured seven lead changes with the Gusties holding an 18-14 advantage after 10 minutes. Gustavus maintained a three-to-eight-point lead throughout the second quarter and took a five-point advantage into the locker room.
Macalester got within two points early in the third quarter, but the visitors found their stride and went on a 17-4 run to finish the quarter, capped by three consecutive three-pointers by Justine Lee. The Black and Gold added to its lead in the fourth quarter, leading by as much as 25 points to secure the win.
Mikayla Miller was second in scoring for the Gusties with 21 points, including five treys. Lee finished with 11 points and a team-high six assists. Gustavus out-rebounded the Scots 39-28 and shot 37.7 percent from the floor. Turnovers were key for the Gusties as they forced 21 and scored 32 points off the takeaway.
Scouting the Royals: Bethel has won its last three games and five of the past six, most recently defeating Hamline 72-43 on Wednesday in St. Paul. Hannah Johnson and Abby Miller led the team with 12 points apiece. Johnson added a team-high 10 rebounds. Johnson and Miller have been the offensive leaders all season long, averaging 14.7 and 14.0 points per game, respectively. Johnson also leads the team with 10.2 rebounds per game. Taite Anderson averages double figure scoring as well with 13.7 points per game. As a team, the Royals lead the league in three-point shooting (39.1%) and blocks (6.0 per game). They average 72.3 points per game and shoot 46.1 percent from the field.