SAINT PETER, Minn. – The Gustavus women’s basketball team kicks off 2019 with a home MIAC test against No. 3 St. Thomas at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Gus Young Court. The Gusties enter the matchup 6-5 overall and 3-1 in the MIAC, while the Tommies are 10-1 overall and 4-0 in the league.
THE SERIES
Wednesday night’s game marks the 84th meeting between Gustavus and St. Thomas with the Tommies leading the series 60-23. The Tommies have won the past 21 matchups with the Gusties last winning on Feb. 17, 2010. The two teams last faced each other in last season’s MIAC playoff championship game with St. Thomas winning 62-56.
SCOUTING THE GUSTIES
After dropping its first conference game of the season, Gustavus has won its past three MIAC games, most recently beating St. Olaf 64-58 on Dec. 12. The Gusties were last in action Dec. 29 at Coe, losing 59-57, snapping a three-game win streak. Through 11 games the Gusties average 67 points and allow 58 points per game. They shoot 40.5 percent from the field and 27.3 percent from three-point range. Rebounding has favored the opposition by 1.1 boards per game but the Gusties are winning the turnover battle by a margin on +7.7 per game. Kendall Thompson leads the offense with 13.6 points per game. She also averaged a team-best 5.1 rebounds per game and has a team-high 41 steals. Justine Lee and Paige Richert average double figures as well with 13.5 and 10.7 points per game, respectively.
SCOUTING THE TOMMIES
St. Thomas started its season 10-0 and most recently lost its first game on Dec. 30 at Wartburg 60-40. The Tommies lead the MIAC in scoring (75.4 ppg), field goal percentage (49.3), three-point percentage (39.3), and points allowed (51.1). Hannah Spaulding leads the team with 17.3 points and 9.5 rebounds per game. She also has a team-high 19 blocks and 19 steals. Kaia Porter and Lucia Renikoff average double figures as well with 14.2 and 10.5 points per game, respectively.