Macalester vs. Gustavus statistics

Macalester staged a 20-2 run over a decisive five-minute stretch of the second half to erase a nine-point deficit, and went on to topple Gustavus Adolphus 73-61 in St. Peter and move into a second place tie in the MIAC standings. Jessica Rene (So., Eau Claire, Wis. / Memorial) scored 18 points, knocking down 4-of-6 from behind the arc, to lead the Scots.

Mac jumps to 5-1 in the MIAC – tying the 1984-85 Scots for best six-game conference start ever. The Gusties drop their first league tilt and are also now 5-1 and along with the Scots and Concordia, trail league-leading St. Benedict (6-0) by one game. Macalester is 5-4 overall and GAC is 7-2.

Joining Rene in double figures were Majra Mucic (Jr., Zenica / Bosnia / St. Louis Park – Minn.) with 13 off the bench and 11 in the second half, Ann Baltzer (Sr., Bismarck, N.D.) with 12 and Trina PaStarr (Sr., Minneapolis, Minn. / Southwest) with 10.

Gustavus led 26-23 at the halftime break after trailing by small margins most of the period. The lead grew to 34-25 four minutes into the second half before the Scots went on their big 20-2 rally to go on top by nine points at 45-26. Rene netted 10 points (with three three-pointers and two assists) and Mucic (with two treys) scored seven during the explosive run five-minute run.

Macalester went 8-for-17 on the night on three-pointers and enjoyed a 20-9 lead in bench points. The Scots had a 14-3 margin in assists as seven different players handed out two assists apiece.

The Gusties were paced by Brianna Radtke with 20 points, while Molly Geske chipped in 16.

Mac faces another big MIAC test Wednesday (Jan. 6) when it plays at Concordia-Moorhead.  the Cobbers are also 5-1 in the conference.