University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
Southern
No. 13 Golden Gophers Open Season With Easy Victory
11/22/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
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The Minnesota women's basketball team captured an easy 93-41 victory over Southern in the first semifinal of the Subway Basketball Classic in Williams Arena on Saturday. The No. 13/13 Golden Gophers (1-0) will face No. 16/20 Colorado (3-0), an 85-81 winner over Harvard (0-1), in the Classic's championship game at 3 p.m. on Sunday. Harvard will play Southern (0-1) in the consolation game at 1 p.m.
"It's always good to get that first win under your belt," said Golden Gopher head coach Pam Borton. "I was pleased with the team's overall play at both ends of the court today."
Minnesota blitzed out to an 11-1 lead in its season-opening game and never looked back. The Gophers built a dominating 49-18 halftime lead, then maintained the defensive pressure allowing the Jaguars only 41 points, the lowest point total allowed by Minnesota in the NCAA era. The previous low was 42 points scored by St. Louis in a 68-42 Minnesota victory on Dec. 15, 1999.
Shannon Schonrock, who drilled a three-point field goal in the Gophers' first possession, scored all 12 of her points in the first half, tying her career high. Minnesota ran its transition game almost at will in the first half, sprinting to a 24-5 advantage in fast break points.
Minnesota kept the pressure on in the second half, shooting 60 percent from the floor (15-25) and turning the ball over only four times (nine in the game). While all 11 Gophers who suited up played, nine of them scored.
Lindsay Whalen led all scorers with 27 points, hitting 10 of her 13 field goal attempts, in just 24 minutes played. Freshman Kelly Roysland enjoyed an impressive start to her collegiate career, scoring 16 points.
Rolanda Moore led Southern with 17 points.
