University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
Indiana
WBB: Gophers Defeat Indiana Behind Solid Defensive Effort
1/2/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Junior April Calhoun snared seven steals to lead a solid Golden Gopher defensive effort that resulted in a 61-47 victory over Indiana in front of a crowd of 10,331 in Williams Arena on Sunday. No. 12/12 Minnesota improved to 11-2 overall and 2-0 in the Big Ten Conference.
"We talk about our defense all of the time but our defense created our offense in the first half," said Golden Gopher head coach Pam Borton. "April (Calhoun) kick-started our offense by getting two steals in a row. That's what we take a lot of pride in."
Four of Calhoun's steals came in a crucial first-half stretch that broke an 18-all tie. Calhoun, who also scored 10 points and added five rebounds and four assists, stole the ball on three consecutive Indiana possessions that led to easy breakaway lay-ups, two by one her own and another on a dish to Janel McCarville.
A Liz Podominick three-point play capped the Gophers' 11-0 run with the score 29-18 at the 3:17 mark. Indiana scored two buckets to cut the lead to seven points but Gopher freshman Natasha Williams closed the half with two baskets of her own to give Minnesota a 33-24 lead at intermission.
Indiana guard Cyndi Valentin scored nine of her team-high 17 points in the second half. Her three-pointer, followed by Angela Hawkins' offensive putback closed the Hoosiers to within five points midway through the second half. The Gophers fired back with eight straight points, including their first three-pointer of the game by Shannon Bolden. Two free throws by McCarville gave the Gophers their biggest lead of the game at 58-43 with 5:39 remaining.
While the Gophers milked the clock on their final possessions, the two teams combined for just three field goals in the last five minutes of the game.
McCarville posted her fourth consecutive double-double and her 38th of her career with 22 points and 11 rebounds. She made 9-of-14 field goals and chipped in three assists, three steals and two blocks in another impressive all-around game for the senior All-American.
Bolden was the third Gopher to score in double digits with 10 points.
Prior to the game, Lindsay Whalen's No. 13 jersey was retired and honored with a banner hanging from the rafters of Williams Arena. She joined former Golden Gopher standouts Laura Coenen and Carol Ann Shudlick as players with banners hanging in The Barn.
Minnesota travels to Wisconsin on Thursday, Jan. 6 for its first road Big Ten contest, then plays host New Mexico on Sunday, Jan. 9.
