Gopher Women Lose at Indiana 93-79

(Gophersports.com) -- The Golden Gophers (18-8, 10-5 Big Ten) could not complete their comeback attempt at Indiana (18-9, 10-5 Big Ten), falling 93-79. Rachel Banham scored 29 points in the loss, while Shayne Mullaney had 17 and Carlie Wagner 15.

Minnesota trailed by 11 to start the fourth quarter before getting back within five points. After the Hoosiers built the lead back to double digits, the Gophers would trim it to six, but again fall farther behind in the final two minutes.

The loss snapped a four-game Gophers win streak, but they have still won eight of their last 10 games. Banham has scored 158 points in her past four games.

In Thursday’s game, the 3-point shot was not a major factor for either team. Minnesota shot 3-of-13 from beyond the arc, while the home team was 3-of-19. Indiana held a 42-36 advantage on the glass. The Hoosiers shot 28-of-42 from the free throw line, making more than the Gophers’ 27 attempts, of which they made 18. Tyra Buss led the Hoosiers with 27 points.

MORE NOTES
*Banham moved into 15th on the NCAA’s all-time career scoring list. She has 2,869 points. Banham passed Andrea Riley (Oklahoma State), Alysha Clark (Belmont/Middle Tennessee), Heather Butler (UT Martin) and Kevi Luper (Oral Roberts) during the Indiana game. She is now 50 points behind the Big Ten’s all-time leader, Kelly Mazzante of Penn State. The NCAA record is held by Jackie Stiles at 3,393.
*The Gophers’ all-time leading scorer has notched 14 straight games scoring 20 or more points.
*Mullaney has scored in double figures in 12 of 15 Big Ten games. Overall this season, she has four games with 15-plus points.
*Indiana improved to 13-0 on its home floor in Assembly Hall.

UP NEXT
The Gophers will play another road game Sunday at Michigan State, televised on BTN at noon. They will return home for their home finale against Ohio State on Wednesday, Feb. 24 at 7 p.m. The game will include recognition for seniors Rachel Banham, Mikayla Bailey and Shayne Mullaney.