University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
Indiana
Golden Gopher Women's Basketball Defeats Indiana
1/29/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Kadidja Andersson scored 17 points leading five Golden Gophers in double figures as No. 14/13 Minnesota defeated Indiana, 78-46, in Williams Arena on Thursday. The victory breaks a three-game losing skid and improves Minnesota's record to 16-3 overall and 5-3 in Big Ten play.
The game marked the first time this season the Gophers landed five players in double digits in the scoring column. Joining Andersson in double figures were Janel McCarville with 13, Kelly Roysland with 12, Lindsay Whalen with 11 and Shannon Schonrock with 10. Ten of the 11 Gophers in uniform scored.
"We needed that win," said Golden Gopher head coach Pam Borton. "It was a good win to get us back on track to where we want to be come March. We had a tough stretch the last couple of weeks, but this game a great team effort."
In the first 10 minutes of the game, Minnesota shot the ball well but hindered its offense with eight turnovers. A fast break basket by Indiana's Annika Boyd gave the Hoosiers a 14-13 lead, their final lead of the game.
The Gophers went inside to McCarville on their next possession. She banked home a short jumper that ignited an 8-0 run. Even with Whalen on the bench with two fouls (she sat the final 7:44 of the first half), Minnesota used balance to extend its lead to 34-21 by halftime. Roysland had nine points, six rebound and three assists in the first half alone.
Minnesota put the game away early in the second half used a 22-4 run to take a 56-25 lead 11:08 remaining. Behind 10 second-half points by Andersson, the Gophers would build their lead to as big as 35 points late in the game.
The Gophers dominated in every statistical category. Minnesota shot 50 percent to 26.7 percent for Indiana (10-9, 3-5). Minnesota out-rebounded the Hoosiers by a 47-29 margin. Whalen finished with a team-high nine rebounds. Roysland added a career-high eight.
The Gophers travel to Wisconsin on Sunday. The tipoff is at 3:30 p.m. with the game being carried live on Fox Sports Net North.
Post-Game Quotes
Minnesota 78, Indiana 46
Minneapolis, Minn.
January 29, 2004
Indiana Head Coach Kathi Bennett
"Our defensive effort was very poor tonight. We fouled a lot of shooters. We got badly out rebounded, and out hustled."
On Minnesota's defense.
"I was not surprised about their zone defense. Anyone who gets tape on us knows that we struggle with it."
On Minnesota's performance.
"I thought Minnesota was going to be fired up, they changed their defenses well and defended our two scorers very well."
Minnesota Head Coach Pam Borton
"We needed that win. It was a good win to get us back on track to where we want to be come March. We had a tough stretch the last couple of weeks, but this game a great team effort. We tend to struggle in the second half and I was pleased with the way we came out of halftime and went on a 20-4 run. That was key to keep our tempo and energy up for the remainder of the half."
On Guard Kelly Roysland.
"Kelly is getting better and better every game. Offensively she is a very aggressive player. She has been playing with consistency and she continues to do great things for this team."
On switching up defenses.
"I thought that our defenses worked well tonight, both zone and man-to-man. We knew that we needed to switch up our defenses especially against a team like Indiana. This was the first time that we have done this and I thought it worked, it put them on their heels."
Minnesota Guard Lindsay Whalen
"Everyone on the court is tough to guard and when you have five players that score in double digits, that type of offense is hard for any team to contain."
Minnesota Forward Kadidja Andersson
"This win was a great step for us and helps give us confidence in what we hope to accomplish in the next couple of weeks. I feel that I have gotten better offensively and I have started to shoot the ball more. We knew that once the Big Ten season started that teams would be focusing on Janel [McCarville] and Lindsay [Whalen]. Tonight I focused on getting open and taking good shots."
Minnesota Guard Kelly Roysland
"I feel a lot more confident in my play. The game is a lot different, speed and strength wise, and there are a lot of transitions that I needed to make from high school to college. I am confident with my offense and hope to continue progressing in the right direction."
