WINONA, Minn. — The Saint Mary's University women's basketball team, coming off their first conference win of the season — a 58-55 MIAC win over Bethel on Saturday in Winona, Minn. — return to action Monday, playing host to Gustavus in a 7:30 p.m. conference contest at the SMU Gym.
The Records:
Saint Mary's Cardinals (1-1 MIAC / 2-3 Overall)
Gustavus Gusties (2-0 MIAC / 4-1 Overall)
Last Action: The Cardinals collected their first conference win of the season, as
Jessica Thone (Woodbury, Minn.) tossed in a 3-pointer with 18 seconds remaining in regulation to lift SMU to a
58-55 victory over Bethel Saturday at the SMU Gym. Gustavus, meanwhile, stayed perfect in MIAC play, outscoring Concordia 40-32 in the second half in beating Concordia
66-61 in St. Peter, Minn.
A Year Ago: Gustavus picked up a pair of conference wins against the Cardinals a year ago.
December 8, 2008: Gustavus outscored the Cardinals 35-17 in the opening 20 minutes and the Gusties never took their foot off the accelerator, racing to their season-opening fifth straight win, a
75-40 conference decision over SMU in St. Peter, Minn.
January 28, 2009: The Gusties followed up an 8-0, first half-ending run with an 18-2 burst to open the second half, as Gustavus put an end to the Cardinals' two-game winning streak in convincing fashion, leaving the SMU Gym with a
65-48 Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference victory.
Saint Mary's Cardinal Notes: The Cardinals picked up their second straight win over Bethel with Saturday's 58-55 victory. SMU beat the Royals 73-69 in double overtime a year ago. …
Jessica Thone (Woodbury, Minn.) drained just one of three 3-point attempts vs. the Royals Saturday — but it was that one 3-pointer, with 18 seconds remaining in regulation, that sealed SMU's 58-55 win. …
Jess Miller (Carver, Minn.) scored a season-high 19 points vs. Bethel. It was Miller's third straight double-figure performance and her highest offensive effort since pouring in 20 points against Carleton on Feb. 4, 2009. …
Cherie Kulig (Independence, Wis.) chipped in 17 points — marking the second straight game in which the duo have each netted 10 or more points. … Kulig enters today's game vs. Gustavus averaging a team-best 10.6 ppg, while Miller is close behind at 10.2 ppg. … After three straight road games to open the season, the Cardinals are in Leg 3 of a stretch of four straight home games. … Miller made her 55th straight career start Wednesday vs. Macalester. … The Cardinals attempted a season-high 54 field goals vs. Bethel Saturday. … Bethel's 55 points were the fewest allowed by the Cardinals this season. … As a team, SMU is shooting 38 percent from the field (95-for-250) and 64 percent from the free throw line (34-for-53).
Gustavus Gustie Notes: After opening the season with a 69-37 loss at Augustana (S.D.), the Gusties have won four straight, including Saturday's 66-61 win over Concordia. … The Gusties have not allowed their opponents to score 70 or more points this season — surrendering 69 (vs. Augustana), 63 (vs. Wartburg), 66 (vs. UW-Eau Claire) and 61 (vs. Carleton and Concordia). … Three of GAC's four wins have come on the Gusties' home floor. … Molly Mathiowetz scored a team-best 17 points vs. the Cobbers Saturday. She was one of four GAC players to score in double figures vs. Concordia. … Mathiowetz is the fourth player to lead the Gusties in scoring through five games. GAC has also had five different players lead them in rebounds. … Gustavus enters tonight's game boasting three players who are averaging in double figures, led by Molly Geske (12.4 ppg). Brianna Radtke (12.0 ppg) and Mathiowetz (11.4) are the other two. … Gustavus have knocked down 28 3-pointers, led by Ava Perry, who is 10-for-19 from behind the arc. … GAC notched season highs in free throws made (20) and attempted (30) against the Cobbers Saturday.
