University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
New Mexico
WBB: Gophers Trounce New Mexico 75-35
1/9/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
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New Mexico came into the game as the nation's top defense, but it was No. 11/11 Minnesota that put on a defensive clinic, trouncing the No. 23/- Lobos by a count of 75-35 in Williams Arena on Sunday.
The Golden Gophers' defense disrupted the Lobos offense on every possession, forcing New Mexico (10-2) into 16 first-half turnovers and just 27.3 percent shooting from the field. The Gophers blitzed to an 18-4 lead six minutes into the game with all five starters contributing points.
New Mexico's leading scorer Lindsey Arndt took just one shot in the first half, her every move shadowed by the Gophers' defensive stopper Shannon Bolden. Despite McCarville and Jamie Broback on the bench with foul trouble, the Gophers pulled away for a dominating 35-16 lead at the half. New Mexico did not score a field goal for the last 9:35 of the half. "Shannon Bolden spearheaded our defensive effort out there today," said Golden Gopher head coach Pam Borton. "We pressured their offense into doing things they didn't want to do. We had them on their heels in the first half and at the half, we challenged our team to put together a full 40 minutes. I was very pleased with the outcome." That is exactly what happened as the Gophers continued their relentless defensive pressure. The Lobos finally hit a field goal two minutes into the second half but managed only five more down the stretch to shoot a dismal 24.0 percent in the second half and finish at 25.5 percent for the game. The Gophers, meanwhile, scored 40 points in the second half on a nationally ranked New Mexico squad that entered the game tops in the nation allowing only 46.7 points a game. A Hannah Garry three-pointer capped the Gophers' scoring late and have Minnesota its biggest lead of 40 points with the final score. Twelve Gophers scored in the game, led by Jamie Broback with 14. McCarville played only 20 minutes but chipped in nine points, five rebounds, four assists and three blocks. April Calhoun also scored nine points, while Shannon Schonrock dished out a team-high five assists. Freshman Natasha Williams came off the bench to tally career highs with eight points, five rebounds and three steals in 13 minutes. Schonrock hit a pair of three-point field goals to move into a tie with Shannon Loeblein (1991-95) for career three-pointers with 135. Minnesota improved to 13-2 overall heading into a week in which the Gophers travel to a pair of nationally ranked Big Ten opponents in Purdue (Thursday, Jan. 13) and Michigan State (Sunday, Jan. 16).
Notes and Quotes
Minnesota Quotes
Head Coach Pam Borton
"Today's game topped off our best game against Wisconsin. We played with great team effort and unbelievable defense. The team played with great energy and leadership and each player was productive when on the floor. I am very pleased with the way that we played the game and having six players with eight or more points proves that it was a great team effort. It is good to know that they can play and produce points without Janel McCarville on the floor."
On Janel McCarville and Jamie Broback on the bench in foul trouble
"We went over six minutes in the first half without a field goal when McCarville and Broback were on the bench. We have to find other ways to score and someone needs to step up and be the leader in those type of situations. I was proud at how our bench came out and played. They were all aggressive and confident and I was particularly impressed with the play of Natasha Williams."
On the defensive play
"I thought that New Mexico did a great job on Janel McCarville, but they were unable to execute at both ends of the floor. Shannon Bolden spear-headed our defense and she did a great job on Lindsey Arndt and that was who New Mexico has relied on all season to score. Our defense is getting better and we are becoming more consistent with subbing in and helping our bench players work on their defense."
Senior forward Janel McCarville
"I enjoyed sitting on the bench because it gave me a chance to watch my team play. I got to see them come together and Natasha Williams did a great job coming in. She stepped it up, but more importantly we played together as a team."
Junior guard Shannon Schonrock
"Our identity has become the way that we play our defense. Each game it has continued to get better. Our defense creates our offense and we knew that coming into today's game that we had to be as aggressive as possible on both ends of the floor."
Junior forward Shannon Bolden
"I had a lot of fun on the court today. As a team we brought our pressure defense which helped create a lot of offense."
Freshman forward Natasha Williams
"I knew coming into today's game that I needed to focus on my defense and rebounding because that is what I am best at. It is the little things that win games and I am still working on my whole game. Everything will come together."
New Mexico Quotes
Head Coach Don Flanigan
"I thought we can defend them a little better than we did and obviously we didn't defend them very well at all. They executed their offense better than I saw on tape. They are a lot more physical than I expected. When you watch them on tape it is a little deceiving because you don't see how physical they really are."
"I thought they executed their offense really well. Their defensive pressure took us out of our game and I'm not sure we ever really got into our offense. We were struggling out there, setting screens, hoping to get somebody free."
"They exposed a lot of our weaknesses, even without McCarville in there. They played very, very well, quicker than I thought they would be, stronger than I thought they would be and I'm very impressed with them. At this point in the season it gives us an opportunity too get our weaknesses exposed and find out what we need to work on and then go to work."
Freshman Forward Dionne Marsh
On Minnesota's center Janel McCarville
"Coming into this game I didn't know too much about her before coach (Don Flanigan) really told us about the team because Minnesota is not in a region that I knew too much about. But when coach brought it up and what a force she is for the team and how strong she was, we knew we had to take it at her and be quicker than her. We needed to body- up from the free throw line to try and get her out of her game. She is a lot stronger than most girls I've ever played against."
Game Notes
With the won over New Mexico, Minnesota finished its non- conference season 10-2
Minnesota's 75 points were the most New Mexico has allowed this season. Coming into the game, the Lobos held a defensive scoring average of 46.7 points per game
The 35 points scored by New Mexico were just one short of tying the season-low for points allowed by Minnesota. The Gophers allowed just 34 points versus Detroit earlier this season.
Minnesota moves to 1-1 against ranked teams this season, while New Mexico falls to 0-2 against ranked teams
Minnesota junior Shannon Schonrock tallied two three-pointers in the game to tie for second place on Minnesota's all-time list. She's now tied with former Gopher Shannon Loeblein (1991-950 with 133 career three-pointers
Gopher freshman Natasha Williams set new season-highs for points (eight) and rebounds (five) in the game
New Mexico suffered its first road loss this season after winning against New Mexico State and Oklahoma State in its only other road games so far this season
New Mexico's top scorer coming into the game, Lindsey Arndt, was held to just two points, her season-low
New Mexico made just 25.5 percent of its field goal attempts in the game, the lowest by a Minnesota opponent this season
New Mexico's starting players scored just 11 points, going 4- 17 from the field
Minnesota has held its opponent to less than 25 points in the first half seven times this season
Minnesota has held its opponent to less than 25 points in the second half seven times this season
Minnesota has held its opponent to 50 or fewer points in seven games this season
