Bruns, Stork face off for the final time

A long-time saga between two former Gopher Conference standouts came to a potential end in St. Peter last week when the Gustavus Adolphus College Gusties and Hamline University Pipers womens basketball teams faced off for their second game of the season.

While the Gusties Bobbie Bruns (Blooming Prairie) and the Pipers’ Sophie Stork (NRHEG) have already faced off countless times against one another over the course of their careers, the opportunity to do so at Gustavus Adolphus College always brings back fun memories.

“We were actually roommates at Gusties Camp together in fifth grade,” said Stork. “Bobbie and I have grown up our whole lives just being towns apart. Kind of being friends and rivals at the same time. There’s never any bad blood, even if I want to win these games. We always give each other smirks and hugs before and after games. I’m really proud of her and proud of myself to see us living out our dreams.”

Bruns and the Gusties had home court advantage on paper, but for Stork the showdown still felt like a home game.

A large applause and cheers rang through Gus Young Court as Stork’s name was called for pre-game introductions. The excited fan section consisted of family, friends and the entirety of the current NRHEG girls basketball team.

“It’s honestly really special. It kind of feels like a home game having everyone here,” said Stork. “It really brings it back full-circle, knowing that I’m doing this for more than myself. It’s for those girls that maybe want to play at this level one day. I’m so grateful for my community.”

Stork took the court for the Pipers to start the game with Bruns beginning the game on the bench.

The stakes between the two teams could not have been higher with each entering the matchup with an equal 8-3 conference record.

The battle for the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) championship has been a tight race all season, and as it stands, six teams are currently within two games of one another for the top spot.

From the opening tip-off, both Gustavus Adolphus and Hamline played a tough, physical game on both sides of the ball.

The Gusties took a 16-14 lead after the first quarter, but the Pipers responded to tie the game at 27-27 at halftime.

Hamline found itself in foul trouble in the second half, and Gustavus Adolphus took advantage of its opportunities by knocking down 15-25 free throws compared to the Pipers’ 4-6 shooting from the line.

The Gusties led 41-38 entering the final quarter and controlled the game all the way into the final minute before Hamline began a last-ditch effort to steal the win.

After trailing 58-52 with just under 30 seconds remaining, the Pipers managed to secure the biggest takeaway of the game by stealing an inbound pass and nailing a deep three with 15 seconds left to cut the lead to 58-55.

However, Hamline was forced to foul on the next possession, allowing the Gusties a critical free throw to lead by four, and could not convert on the final attempt of the game to lose 59-55.

Stork was highly involved and played 25 minutes, adding two points, four rebounds and five assists, but was never joined on the court by Bruns.

According to Gusties’ Head Coach Laurie Kelly, the decision to keep the latter sidelined was made based on the matchups on the court and the tight nature of the game from start to finish.

The lack of playing time didn’t stop Bruns from effecting the game in her own way.

She could be seen talking to the team during their halftime huddle and leading the energy on the bench after every major Gusties’ basket.

“Our team is not the team we are without her. Her leadership stands out the most… She’s had her ups and downs this season from a playing perspective, but she helps us in so many ways. Our team chemistry is kind of the foundation of what we’re about, and she’s probably one of the most well-respected people in the locker room. You can hear it in her voice when she speaks. She’s the daughter of a coach. She has a coach’s mind and a really strong basketball IQ,” said Kelly.

Bruns’ role as a vocal leader is something she’s come to love over the course of her career.

“Sometimes I say things and I think, ‘Oh my gosh, I sound like my dad right now,’” said Bruns with a laugh. “Even when I’m not playing, I feel like I have to be that leader for my team as the only senior and having been on this team for four years now. I still try to be involved in any way that I can. Sometimes the roles are different from game-to-game, but I just try to embrace it and make the best of it.”

Bruns has been a part of a highly decorated Gustavus Adolphus program over the course of her career and has contributed to three MIAC championships in each of her first three seasons.

Since joining the team in 2023, she’s averaged 5.6 minutes per game and hit 19-62 career field goal attempts (30.6%) for 57 points while also adding 42 rebounds, 28 assists and 14 steals.

Meanwhile, Stork has been a staple for the Pipers as well averaging 19.9 minutes per game and totaling 502 career points, 315 rebounds, 75 assists, 10 blocks and 73 steals.