Hanson Had All the Answers as Cobbers Top Gustavus

SAINT PETER, Minn. (1/31/26) - Behind a career night from Olivia Hanson, the Cobbers improved to 16–3 overall and 10–2 in conference play with a 66–59 win over Gustavus on Saturday afternoon. Hanson led the way with 16 points on an ultra-efficient 4-of-5 shooting, knocking down three triples and going 5-for-6 at the free-throw line as the Cobbers rallied from a halftime deficit to secure the victory.

The win marked the first time since Dec. 7, 2013 that Concordia has beaten Gustavus in St. Peter. 

The victory also moves the Cobbers into sole possession of first place in the MIAC standings. CC is now 16-3 overrall and 10-2 in the conference.    

The opening quarter featured back-and-forth action with five ties. Gustavus scored first, but Molly Musland answered quickly to even things up. Musland continued to lead early, scoring seven points in the quarter, including a layup and a three that gave the Cobbers a brief 9-5 edge.

Gustavus (12-7, 8-4) responded to tie the game at nine before Musland knocked down two free throws to put Concordia back in front. The Gusties pulled ahead late, but a Kaia Gack free throw and a Maya Metcalf basket tied the game at 14-14 heading into the second quarter.

Gustavus controlled the second quarter, outscoring the Cobbers 16-11 and shooting 38.9% from the field. Genevieve Gruba opened the quarter with her first points, but the Gusties used a 6-0 run to take a four-point lead. Taylore Safranski hit a key three to cut the deficit, and Gruba later added a triple of her own, keeping the Cobbers within striking distance. Despite baskets from Metcalf and Gack, Gustavus entered halftime leading 30-25.

The Cobbers came alive in the third quarter, outscoring Gustavus 25-17 while shooting 46.2% from the field and 5-of-7 from three-point range, sparked by Hanson.

After Gustavus briefly extended its lead to 38-28, Taya Jeffrey stopped the run with a three. Hanson then entered and immediately made an impact, drilling back-to-back threes to swing momentum. Gack followed by going 4-for-4 at the free-throw line, and Hanson capped the surge by tying the game at 45-45. In the final minute, Hanson hit another three to give the Cobbers a 50-47 lead, their first since the opening half.

Concordia built on that momentum in the fourth. Jeffrey opened the quarter with an and-one layup, and Safranski later knocked down a three to extend the lead to 56-47, the Cobbers' largest of the game. Metcalf's and-one pushed the advantage to double digits, and Hanson added a layup to maintain control.

Gustavus made a late push with an 8-0 run, but clutch free throws from Musland, Jeffrey, and Hanson sealed the 66-59 victory.

The Cobbers shot 43.5% (20-46) from the field and 42.9% (9-21) from beyond the arc.

Hanson led the way with a career-high 16 points, shooting 4-of-5 from the field, 3-of-3 from three, and 5-of-6 from the line, while adding three rebounds. Jeffrey and Safranski each scored 11 points, and Musland finished with 10. Kaitlyn Rohloff recorded a team-high four assists, and four Cobbers grabbed five rebounds: Jeffrey, Safranski, Metcalf, and Maci Wheeldon.

Concordia returns to action February 4 with a 5:45 p.m. home tipoff against Carleton.