University of Minnesota Athletics
WBB: Golden Gophers Tally Exhibition Victory
11/3/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Four Golden Gophers, led by junior transfer April Calhoun, finished in double figures as Minnesota pulled out an 82-71 victory over the Wisconsin Viking AAU Club Team in exhibition action at Williams Arena on Wednesday night.
The Minnesota balance helped overcome an exceptional showing by WNBA guard Anna DeForge, who paced the Wisconsin AAU squad with 47 points.
"We saw a lot of good things out there in spurts," said Golden Gopher head coach Pam Borton. "We have plenty of things to work on but it was good to get some action in, especially against a team of experienced players. DeForge was a special player tonight. She showed why she's a starting WNBA guard. She was hitting shots from all over the court and they weren't easy shots either."
The Gophers, who were playing without All-American center Janel McCarville, broke out to an early 18-6 lead behind six points from Calhoun and five from Jamie Broback. Broback went to the bench with her third foul and the Vikings took advantage, coming back as DeForge drained four three-pointers to knot the score at 22.
Minnesota took a 41-39 lead into halftime on a driving jumper in the lane by Shannon Bolden with three second remaining.
The Gophers used an aggressive, attacking offense to get to the free throw line in the second half, making 22-of-26 attempts. As the Vikings cooled from shooting 73 percent from three-point range in the first half to 44 in the second, the Gophers steadily pulled away from a 52-52 tie to build a late lead that ballooned to as big as 15 points. During the run, freshman forward Lauren Lacey came off the bench and sparked the Gophers with six consecutive points.
Gophers joining Calhoun in double digits were Liz Podominick with 11 points and Broback and Shannon Schonrock with 10 points apiece. Podominick snagged a double-double by adding 10 rebounds.
Minnesota plays its second exhibition game of the preseason on Sunday, Nov. 7, when North Dakota visits Williams Arena. Tipoff is a 2 p.m.
