Gustavus Defeats Stout in Battle of Top 15 Teams

The Basics
Score: #13 UW-Stout 53,  Gustavus Adolphus College 62
Record: Blue Devils (2-1), Gusties (3-0)
Location: Johnson Fieldhouse- Menomonie, Wisconsin

A battle of top 15 teams went the way of Gustavus Adolphus College Thursday night, as the Gusties topped the Blue Devils 62-53. MIAC powerhouse Gustavus were able to pull away from the Blue Devils in the 4^th quarter, after a game that never saw either team hold a double-digit lead. This highly anticipated matchup featured two teams that are used to scoring at will. Instead, defense was the story of this game. After a tight first half that saw Gustavus take a 23-18 lead into the half, the Blue Devils came out of halftime hot. Stout made it's strongest push of the night in the 3^rd quarter, going on a 9-2 run, and taking a 39-34 lead. Gustavus responded quickly, scoring the next eleven points to capture a 45-39 lead, and they would not surrender that lead for the rest of the game, resulting in a 62-53 win for Gustavus. Anna Mutch and Lexi Wagner scored 39 of Stout's 53 points, an impressive performance from the upperclassmen duo.   


Top Performers

• Anna Mutch had a game-high 22 points. She was 8-14 from the floor.
• Lexi Wagner added 17 points, 15 of those courtesy of the three-ball.
• Sam Schaeffer contributed five rebounds, four assists, and two steals.

Inside the Box Score  

• Both teams played stifling defense, as Gustavus narrowly won the turnover battle 19-15
• The free throw line played a pivotal part in this game, as Gustavus shot 83% from the line, compared to just 46.7% for the Devils.
• Gustavus' scoring was evenly distributed, with four players in double-figures.

 
UP NEXT
The Blue Devils will host Crown College on Saturday November 16^th at Johnson Fieldhouse. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m.