University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
Michigan State
Gopher Women's Basketball Upset by Michigan State
1/23/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
"This game came down to rebounding and effort on defense," said Golden Gopher head coach Pam Borton. "Michigan State got 18 offensive rebounds and it seems like every one of them was put back up for an easy basket."
The game's outcome was affected by a crucial call with 29 seconds left to play. Minnesota had the ball and a one-point lead at 71-70, when C orrin Von Wald was whistled for an offensive foul, while chasing down the rebound of a missed L indsay Whalen jumper.
Michigan State's Kristin Haynie calmly stepped to the free throw line and put the Spartans in the lead hitting both ends of the bonus. Haynie then came up big on the defensive end, stealing the ball from Whalen on the Gophers? next possession. The Gophers quickly fouled, sending Julie Pagel to the line. Pagel connected on both tosses as well to secure the victory.
Minnesota tied its biggest lead on a three-point play by Von Wald with 6:53 remaining. From that point, the Gopher offense scored just three baskets the rest of the way.
Von Wald led the Gophers with 24 points, including four three-point field goals. K adidja Andersson added 13 points as the only other Gopher in double figures. Whalen scored just seven points on 2-of-9 from the field, marking only the third time in her collegiate career she was held out of double digits. Whalen did dish out nine assists.
Michigan State outscored Minnesota by a dominating 48-20 margin in the paint. Spartan center Kelli Roehrig came off the bench to score 27, several on putbacks after offensive rebounds.
Minnesota travels to Illinois on Sunday. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m.
