MINNEAPOLIS -- Never trailing in the contest, the No. 8-ranked Gustavus Adolphus College women's basketball pulled away early to claim a 68-35 win over host Augsburg University in a Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference game on Saturday afternoon.

THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Gustavus 68, Augsburg 35
LOCATION: Si Melby Hall, Minneapolis
RECORDS: Augsburg 3-16 overall (1-11 MIAC), Gustavus 18-1 overall (11-1 MIAC)

HOW IT HAPPENED
• The Gusties, ranked No. 8 in the latest D3hoops.com and Women's Basketball Coaches Association Division III national polls, led for all but the opening 26 seconds of the game, and led by as many as 36 points in the second half. Augsburg was limited to just 19.1 percent shooting from the field (9-of-47) and committed 28 turnovers, which Gustavus turned into 25 points. The Gusties outrebounded the Auggies by a 54-30 margin, and had 36 points in the paint, compared to Augsburg's two.
• Lani Fonoti (FY, Cloquet, Minn./Cloquet HS) and Katie Manecke (SR, Shoreview, Minn./Mounds View HS) scored eight points each to lead Augsburg. Manecke added four rebounds and two assists.
• Saylor Gallagher (SO, Mounds View, Minn./Irondale HS) and Maecee Alexander (SO, St. Louis Park, Minn./St. Louis Park HS) scored five points each. 

FOR THE FOES
• Emma Kniefel scored 13 points with six rebounds and three assists to lead Gustavus.
• Syd Hauger scored 11 points with eight rebounds.
 
UP NEXT
• Augsburg hosts Hamline University on Wednesday (2/5) at 5:30 p.m. at Si Melby Hall.