Gopher Women Defeat Cleveland State in Matinee Game

MINNEAPOLIS - Three players posted double-doubles as the University of Minnesota (2-0) women’s basketball team defeated Cleveland State University (1-1), 93-76, at Williams Arena on Wednesday afternoon at the Gophers' annual Field Trip Day.

Senior Rachel Banham tallied 27 points and dished out a career-high 13 assists to record the first points/assists double-double since Nov. 10, 2010 when China Antoine scored 17 points and 11 assists vs. Milwaukee at the Subway Classic.

Senior Shae Kelley and sophomore Amanda Zahui B. also tallied double-doubles, as they scored 21 and 15 points, respectively, while each grabbing 14 rebounds. Zahui B. added five blocks for the second-straight game. Freshman Carlie Wagner scored a career-high 16 points for the Maroon and Gold in her second-career start to give Minnesota four double-digit scorers.

The Gophers trailed by as many as twelve points midway through the first half, but Zahui B. led the Maroon and Gold on a 15-3 run to tie up the game, 27-27, with six minutes remaining in the first stanza.

Cleveland State was able to rebound by taking another 10-point lead as halftime approached, but the Gophers fought back and entered the locker room trailing by just three points thanks to a last second jumper from junior Kayla Hirt, who finished with six points, five rebounds, three assists and a career-high three steals.

Zahui B., Wagner and Kelley teamed up to compile a 12-0 run early in the second half to give the Gophers their first lead since the opening minutes of play. Minnesota went on to lead the Vikings for the remainder of the game, leading by as many as 15 points with three minutes remaining.

Minnesota capped off a strong second half with a quartet of three-pointers from junior Mikayla Bailey, Banham and Wagner to seal the 93-76 victory for the Gophers.

The Gophers notched a .481 field percentage and went 9-for-31 from behind the arc.
The Maroon and Gold will travel to Memphis, Tenn. on Sunday, Nov. 23 to battle the Memphis Tigers in its first road game of the season.

Source:  Gophersports.com