The Oles' Bobby Fong slashes for two of his 21 first half points in Saturday's win over Gustavus. Fong had 11 in the game's first 2:29.
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Fong's big first half leads Oles past Gustavus

Michael Abdella
December 10, 2011

NORTHFIELD, Minn.- Senior Bobby Fong scored 21 of his season-high 31 points in the first half to lead the St. Olaf men's basketball team to a 82-59 victory over Gustavus Adolphus on Saturday afternoon at the Skoglund Center.

Fong got the Oles off to a hot start by scoring 11 points in the first two and a half minutes of play. Stu Neville opened the game with a three-pointer before Fong's spurt, as St. Olaf opened the game on a 14-2 run.

After St. Olaf's quick start, the closest the Gusties could get was ten points at 23-13 midway through the first half. The Oles took a 44-24 lead into halftime as the team shot 45.9% in the opening half compared to just 33.3% for Gustavus.

The second half was much of the same with Gustavus never being able to put a dent in St. Olaf's lead. The visitors managed to get within 14 at 61-47 with 7:52 remaining but the Oles stretched the lead back to 70-48 with 4:22 to play. St. Olaf shot 14-24 (58.3%) after halftime.

After his big first half, Fong slowed down a little after the break but finished with a season-high 31 to lead all scorers. Fong was joined in double figures by three other Oles. Connor Gunderson scored 18 on 7-11 shooting, while Stu Neville posted a double-double with 15 points and 14 rebounds, while also recording seven assists. Sterling Nielson pitched in with 11 off the bench.

Gustavus was led by Ben Biewen's 18 points on 7-of-13 shooting from the field. Seth Anderson, the MIAC's leading scorer entering the day at 28.0 points-per-game, was the only other Gustie in double-figures. After scoring 36 and making his first 11 shots in a win over Augsburg, Anderson was held to 17 points on 8-of-17.

For the game, St. Olaf shot 50.8 percent compared to 38.5 percent for Gustavus. The Oles went to the line 11 more times than the visitors, holding a 13-4 advantage in scoring at the free throw stripe. The Gusties cool shooting also helped St. Olaf earn a 44-33 rebounding edge.

The win gives the Oles (4-5, 3-2) momentum heading into an extended break, while Gustavus falls to 4-3, 3-2 in MIAC play. St. Olaf is off until after Christmas when they travel to UW-Stevens Point on December 30.

Contact media relations specialist Mike Ludwig at (507) 786-3834 or ludwigm@stolaf.edu.