Gustavus advanced to the NCAA Division lll Sweet Sixteen on March 3, taking down UW-Whitewater 74-60.

They were led by a 26 point game from Senior Miranda Rice and a record-setting performance from Senior Mikayla Miller, who became Gustavus’ all-time point leader at 1,792, passing Jess Vadnais who played from 2004-2008.

While Gustavus started the scoring with an early three, the Warhawks responded with a 10-0 run to which the Gusties promptly answered, eventually evening the score at 12 apiece with two minutes left in the quarter. Whitewater eventually took a 16-14 lead into the second quarter.

The second quarter started with five straight points from UW-Whitewater and ended with a 37-30 Warhawk lead heading into halftime.

Rice accounted for nearly two thirds of the Gustie’s points, dropping ten in the second quarter.

Gustavus took over in the second half, scoring 20 points in the third quarter while holding the Warhawks to seven.

Rice and Miller combined for 14 points and the Gusties forced five turnovers.

“Down seven heading into the third quarter, defense made the difference for us,” Head Coach Laurie Kelly said.

Gustavus rode the hot hand into the final quarter, adding another 24 points, mostly from the trio of Rice, Miller and Junior Kendall Thompson who combined for 23 points.

The game eventually ended with a 74-60 win, and a trip to the Sweet Sixteen.

Rice finished the game with a double-double, adding 10 rebounds to go along with her 26 points while Miller ended her record day with 21 points.

“When they play well our team plays well. We’ve struggled at times when other teams have focused on our seniors. It was their teammates, the ball-reversal, the waiting one extra second to make the pass. It’s one of the best team games we’ve played this season,” Kelly said.

In the Sweet Sixteen the Gusties dropped a 75-67 decision against No. 3 ranked Thomas More at Hope College this past Friday.

The loss would end the Gusties stellar 24-7 season.

The Gusties began with a strong first quarter where they shot at a 50 percent clip from the floor to take a 21-17 lead into the second quarter. Gustavus held an early advantage on the boards, out rebounding the Saints 9-5 while also recording six assists through the first ten minutes.

Thomas More was quick to answer, holding the gusties to eight points in the second frame while going on a 6-0 run midway through the second twenty minutes to take a 32-29 lead into the intermission.

Gustavus held an 18-11 advantage on the glass heading into halftime while Thomas More concerted on 10-12 free throw attempts in comparison to the Gusties 2-3.

The Saints continued to roll heading into the third quarter, shooting 58 percent from the floor while taking advantage of nine Gustie fouls. Miranda Rice led the Gustie in the third with five points and two boards.

Trailing 57-44 in the final quarter the Gusties began with a 7-0 run, reducing the Saints’ lead to six.

Gustavus would continue to threaten Thomas More’s lead, eventually pulling within three points of the lead. The Saints however, would lean on a strong finish to take the 75-67 win.

Gustavus were led by Miller, who dropped 20 points on 7-16 shooting while also grabbing six rebounds and a steal. Rice recorded seven rebounds to lead the Gusties while Freshman Ava Gonsorowski led all players with five assists.

Gustavus shot 43 percent from the field and 35 percent from deep while holding the advantage on the glass 34-30.

On top of their dominant Senior seasons, both Rice and Miller were named to 2018 Women’s All-Region Teams this past Tuesday with

Miller being named to the All-West Region Second Team for the second year in a row and Rice named to the Third Team.
Miller finishes her Gustavus career leading the program in total points (1812), field goals made (636), and steals (310) while also ranking second is school history with 383 assists, 204 three-pointers and 336 free throws.

Rice leaves Gustavus having played more games that’s any other player in school history with 112 games while also ranking fourth in career points with 1416 and third in field goals made with 571.