University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
Wisconsin
BADGERS GET TO THE LINE TO DEFEAT GOPHER WOMEN
2/3/2000 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
The Badgers (11-8, 5-5) used a penetrating offensive attack to earn 37 free throw attempts. Wisconsin shot 78 percent from the line, including a lofty 86 percent (19-22) in the second half. Minnesota (8-13, 1-9) connected on a season-high 90 percent of its charity tosses, making 18 of 20 for the game.
The Gopher held a lead for much of the first half. Two Jackie Tate free throws at the 8:51 mark gave Minnesota its biggest lead at 18-9. Wisconsin countered with a 13-4 run to knot the score at 22-22. The score remained tied at halftime, 28-28.
Minnesota rebuilt its lead early in the second half, a three-pointer by Moneeke Bowden putting the Gophers up 44-38 with 14:07 to play. Badger three-point field goals by Candas Smith and Tamara Moore fueled the Wisconsin rally, tying the score at 46-46. After two more ties, free throws by Smith at the 10:27 mark gave the Badgers the lead for good.
Foul trouble hindered the Gophers comeback attempts, with Bowden, Kim Bell and Brandy Pickens all whistled for their fifth foul in the last five minutes of the game. Badger forward LaTony Sims made the Gophers pay, hitting 11-of-12 free throws in the second half, 13-of-16 for the game.
Erin Olson went 8-for-9 from the free throw line en route to a season-high 21 points. Bowden chipped in 15 before fouling out with 4:38 to play.
Tamara Moore led four Badgers in double figures with 22 points, including 4-of-5 from three-point range. Sims added 15.
Minnesota hit five three-pointers in the game, giving the Gophers a Minnesota single-season record 122 for the season. The previous record was 120 set by the 1998-99 Gophers in 27 games.
