Gophers Score Road Win Against Memphis in Women’s Hoops

MEMPHIS, TENN. – The University of Minnesota (3-0) women’s basketball team picked up its first road victory of the season at Memphis (2-2), 68-62, Sunday afternoon at Elma Roane Fieldhouse in Memphis, Tenn., behind a strong second-half team performance, which included 14 points from Rachel Banham.

Banham was one of four players to finish the game in double figures for the Maroon and Gold, led by Shae Kelley’s 20 points and eight rebounds. Mikayla Bailey matched her career-high with four three-pointers to post 15 points, while Amanda Zahui B. added 12 points, seven rebounds and five blocks. Kayla Hirt also turned in a solid performance with seven points and eight rebounds.

The Gophers outshot Memphis, .460-.324 overall and .522-.333 in the second half, but the Tigers held the advantage on the glass, 48-37.

Minnesota fell down by 10 points early in the game, 15-5, but an 8-0 run, which included back-to-back three-pointers from Bailey, pulled the Gophers to within two points, 15-13, with 11:28 to play in the first. The Maroon and Gold would continue to hang with the Tigers through the remainder of the half, before a three-pointer from Hirt gave Minnesota its first lead of the game, 24-23, with 3:07 on the clock. Memphis would use an 8-5 run to close out the half, however, and sent Minnesota into the locker room trailing by two points, 31-29.

Banham played only three minutes of the first half after getting into early foul trouble.

Thanks to the return of Banham, the Gophers opened the second half on a 21-7 run to go ahead, 50-41, at the 11:07 mark and never looked back. Minnesota would extend its lead to 15 points, its largest of the game, with 4:00 minutes to play, but the Tigers stuck around and cut the Gophers' lead to just four points. Minnesota would seal the win with a pair of free throws by Zahui to improve to 3-0 on the year.

The Gophers return to the friendly confines of Williams Arena Tuesday, Nov. 25 for a 7 p.m. match-up with Southern, before hitting the road to participate in the Gulf Coast Showcase in Ft. Myers, Fla., Nov. 28-30.

Source: Gophersports.com