SAINT PETER, Minn. – The Gustavus men’s basketball team travels to St. Olaf on Saturday for a key MIAC playoff positioning game. Tipoff is slated for 1 p.m. at the Skoglund Center. The Gusties enter the contest 8-13 overall and 8-8 in the MIAC, while the Oles are 9-11 overall and 6-9 in the conference.
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The Series: Saturday’s game marks the 159th meeting between Gustavus and St. Olaf on the hardwood with the Gusties leading the all-time series 97-61. The Oles won game one of this season’s series 84-68 on Jan. 4 in Saint Peter. Gustavus held St. Olaf to 40.3 percent shooting, but turned the ball over 21 times and shot a pedestrian 39.7 percent. The Oles took advantage of their opportunities at the free throw line, going a perfect 18-18. The visitors also won the rebound battle 43-39. Logan Rezac led the Gustie offense with 21 points and 12 rebounds for his second double-double of the season. Kaleb Feahn contributed 15 points off the bench.
Scouting the Gusties: Gustavus most recently lost 70-69 at Carleton on Wednesday for its fourth straight defeat. Through 16 conference games, the Gusties average 74.2 points and shoot 45.0 percent from the field, ranking fifth and sixth, respectively, in the MIAC. They are the best blocking team in the MIAC with 4.2 per game. The Gusties also do well on the boards, averaging 35.9 rebounds, which is second best in the conference. Kaleb Feahn leads the offense with 15.3 points per game. He is also the team’s best free throw shooter, converting at 85.4 percent. Logan Rezac paces the starting five with 12.0 points and 6.6 rebounds per game. Jake Guse leads the MIAC with 42 blocks and contributes 8.6 points and 6.2 rebounds.
Scouting the Oles: St. Olaf is coming off a 68-53 loss at Saint John’s on Wednesday. Through 15 conference games, the Oles average 75.1 points and shoot 44.9 percent from the floor, which rank fourth and seventh, respectively, in the MIAC. They shoot 35.9 percent from three-point range and haul in 33.1 rebounds per game, both marks that rank seventh in the league. Nate Albers leads the offense with 15.8 points per game and hauls in a team-high 6.6 rebounds per game. He’s also reached the free throw line a team-high 105 times and converts at 79 percent. Troy Diggins Jr. is next on the scoresheet with 12.8 points per game along with 6.0 rebounds.