Northfield, Minn. - Tanner Schieck scored 10 points in what proved to be his final home game as Carleton fell to league-leading Gustavus, 66-46. The loss means Carleton will be seeded fifth in the MIAC Playoffs and travel to Bethel College on Tuesday, Feb. 24 at 7:30 p.m.
The Gusties (20-5, 18-2 MIAC), who will be the top seed in the conference tournament, shot a red-hot 56 percent from the floor, including a moind-boggling 8-for-11 from three-point range. Tim Brown paced the Gustie attack with 21 points and Phil Sowden added 10.
The Knights (15-10, 12-8 MIAC) fell behind early and following back-to-back lay-ups from Brown and Doug Espenson the Gusties lead 22-6. Carleton showed resolve coming back with a 17-5 run to trail 27-23 at the break.
The Gusties scored the first eight points of the second half and pushed the lead to 38-26 less than four minutes into the stanza. Carleton answered back, getting within eight points with 9:12 left on three-pointers by Jake Phillips and Kyle Beste. Gustavus held the Knights without a field goal over the next seven-plus minutes, outscoring the hosts 17-6 during the span.
The Knights were troubled by Gustavus’ length and athleticism on the defensive end and were held to under 50 points for only the second time this season while shooting 36.6 percent from the field. The Gusties size also paid dividends on the offensive end as they outscored Carleton 30-10 in points in the paint. The loss means the Knights earns the fifth seed in the conference and will start the MIAC Playoffs on the road against Bethel College on Tuesday, Feb. 24, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $7 for adults and $3 for students, and doors open at Bethel's Robertson Center at 6:30 p.m.
Carleton finishes fifth in the MIAC regular-season standings.
