Notables:
-Gustavus leads CSS 6-0 in all-time series
-CSS 0-for-12 on 3-point attempts
-Points in the Paint: CSS-20, GAC-46
-Turnovers: CSS 28, GAC 15
ST. PETER, Minn. (
csssaints.com)- The St. Scholastica women's basketball team was downed by Gustavus Adolphus College 79-38 in the Gustavus Classic Friday night. This is the sixth season opening loss in eight years for the Saints.
The Action
Emelia Miner (Hutchinson, Minn./Hutchinson HS) got the Saints started with a good jump shot, putting the Saints in the lead 2-0. This lead would be lost, however, with a good layup from the Gusties to bring the game to a tie 2-2.
Holly VanKempen (Elbow Lake, Minn./West Central HS) would have a great jump shot to put the Saints in the lead 4-2. Gustavus would have two good layups in the paint to put them ahead 6-4. After this lead change, the lead would never been regained by the Saints for the rest of the game.
The Saints struggled the most offensively and defensively in the second and fourth quarter. St. Scholastica was only able to score four points in the second quarter, but allowed 20. In the fourth,CSS was only able to net eight points compared to Gustavus' 16. With the Saints experiencing difficulties, the final score would come to 79-38 in favor of the Gusties.
Top Performances
Mel Weisbrick (Hibbing, Minn./Hibbing HS (Hibbing CC)) scored 10 out of St. Scholastica's 38 points. VanKempen netted eight points;
Michala Walther (Roseville, Minn./Concordia Academy) had six. VanKempen and Walther also led in steals, with two each. Looking at assists,
Kayla Swanson (Hibbing, Minn./Hibbing HS) aided seven out of the team's eight total assists. With rebounds, five Saint players had three rebounds each: VanKempen, Swanson, Miner,
Zoe Bystrom (Cook, Minn./North Woods HS (Hibbing CC)) and
Danielle Cieluch (Duluth, Minn./Duluth East HS).
Improvement Is Needed
The Saints struggled in many areas, included three-point field goals. Out of 12 attempts, with six made in the first half and six made in the second, zero made it into the basket. For the Gusties, things weren't much better, but still helped contribute to the win. They made four out of 16 attempts.
Free throws also continue to be an issue for CSS. The Saints made 4-of-9 free throw attempts for a 44.4 percent completion. St. Scholastica only made 65 percent of free throws last year, which was the lowest percentage since the 2008-2009 season.
Turnovers were also an area of difficulty. CSS almost had twice as many turnovers compared to Gustavus; the Saints had 28 will the Gusties had 15. Because of the high amount of turnovers, Gustavus was able to score 34 points off of turnovers, while St. Scholastica only netted six.
Up Next
In the second game of the Gustavus Classic, the Saints (0-1) face Buena Vista University (Iowa). This is the first meeting ever between the two programs. Game time is scheduled for Saturday at 1 p.m.
