SAINT PETER, Minn. – The Gustavus men’s basketball team returns to conference action Wednesday night, playing host to Hamline at 7 p.m. The Gusties enter the contest 1-3 overall and 1-0 in the MIAC, while the Pipers are 1-3 overall and 0-2 in the league.
The Series: Wednesday’s game marks the 183rd meeting between Gustavus and Hamline on the hardwood with the Gusties leading the all-time series 108-74. Last season the two teams split the series with the Pipers winning 79-62 on Nov. 28 in Saint Paul followed by an 80-72 Gustie win on Jan. 31 in Saint Peter.
Scouting the Gusties: Gustavus is coming off an 89-79 overtime loss at Central on Saturday. Through four games this season, the Gusties average 75.5 points per game but allow 83.5 points, which is last in the MIAC. They’ve done well distributing the ball with 17.3 assists per game. An area for growth is highlighted by ball security as the Gusties average a league-worst 17.0 turnovers per game. Logan Rezac leads the team in both scoring and rebounding, averaging 17.8 points and 7.0 rebounds. Nolan Malo is also in double figure scoring with 11.5 points per game.
Scouting the Pipers: Hamline has dropped its last two games, most recently losing 58-55 to Macalester last Tuesday. Through four games the Pipers average 71.3 points and shoot 39.1 percent from the floor. They are strong with taking care of the ball, averaging a MIAC-low 10.3 turnovers per game. An early season weakness has been down on the blocks as the Pipers have a league-worst -5.8 rebound margin. Jake Larson, Michael Dillon, and Lucas Berg pace the offense with 14.3, 13.5, and 11.0 points per game, respectively. Dillon leads the team in the post with 9.3 rebounds per game and a team-high six blocks.