University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
Illinois
McCarville and Whalen Lead No. 9 Minnesota to Win Over Illinois
1/9/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
No. 9 Minnesota was able to rebound from a poor start and cold-shooting in the first half to come-from behind and defeat Illinois 77-62 In front of 6,049 at Williams Arena. Sophomore center J anel McCarville sparked the Gophers with 23 points and 9 rebounds and led a 13-0 Minnesota run in the second half that enabled the Gophers to take their first lead and hold on for the victory. With the win, Minnesota improved to 13-1 overall and 2-1 in the Big Ten.
"That was a great ball game. It was a great team effort that included J anel McCarville on the boards, S hannon Schonrock from the bench and one of the best games by L indsay Whalen overall," said Golden Gopher head coach Pam Borton.
After suffering a thirty-point defeat at the hands of Penn State on Monday, Minnesota desperately needed a good start to the game. They did not get that as Illinios was able to hold them scoreless for the first five minutes and jumped out to a 8-0 lead. The Golden Gophers were finally able to get on the board after L indsay Whalen found K adidja Andersson on the fastbreak for a layup to cut the Illinois lead to 8-2. The Gophers were never really able to get on track in the first half as nine turnovers and 39 percent shooting held them back.
After Illinois (10-3, 2-1) opened up their largest lead of the game at 25-16 with 4:53 to play in the half, the Gophers responded with an 8-0 run to come within a point at 25-24. On Illinois? next possession Aminata Yanni was able to answer and her three pushed the Illinois lead back up to four at 28-24. With a first half marred by turnovers and poor shooting, the Gophers found themselves down 30-26 at the half.
The second half started out much the same for Minnesota. With the fast break non-existent, as Illinois doing a good job of getting back on defense, Minnesota was forced into a slower paced game and struggled running their offense. Both teams continued to struggle from the field and the Gophers were unable to get any closer then two points.
Down 46-40 with 14:04 to play, the Gophers finally started to click as they turned up the defensive intensity and started to get easy baskets on the offensive end. McCarville helped led a 13-0 Minnesota run that saw them take a 53-46 lead with 10:21 to play. McCarville scored 13 of her 21 points in the second half. From there the Gophers were able to blow open the game and turn what had been a defensive struggle into a 77-62 blow out.
Once the Gophers grabbed the lead they never looked back and all of a sudden everything that had come so difficult in the first 26 minutes of the game looked so easy. McCarville was all over the court during the second half as she gave her body up for lose balls, dominated the boards and scored at will in the paint. Her eruption proved to be what Minnesota needed against Illinois.
"I came out with energy and worked hard to get the ball," said McCarville, who matched her career high set last year against Illinois. "It felt really good getting the ball tonight."
"We really had a breakdown tonight," said Illinois head coach Theresa Grentz. "Whether you call it a mental breakdown or defensive breakdown, it was a breakdown and Minnesota gets credit for causing that."
On a night where her scoring dominance was not at its usual level, L indsay Whalen proved why she won Big Ten Player of the Year a season ago. She not only scored 21 points, but also pulled down 12 rebounds and dished out eight assists. It was easily her best all-around game of the season and her 11-12 from the free throw line helped thwart whatever comeback Illinois hand in mind.
Minnesota also got a big lift from freshman point guard S hannon Schonrock who, in 27 minutes of play, scored 9 points that included a perfect 3-3 from behind the arc. Her defensive intensity and poise in running the offense proved crucial in the team's ability to stay in the game and then pull ahead and take control for the win.
Other performances of note include K adidja Andersson who scored 10 points and the ever-steady C orrin Von Wald who poured in 14 points in playing 39 minutes.
Minnesota will be in action on Sunday Jan. 12, when they face Iowa at 12 noon. The game will be telev
