University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
Charlotte
Gophers Improve to 2-0 With Victory Over Charlotte
11/15/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
A balanced scoring attack fueled the Minnesota women’s basketball team, as the Golden Gophers gritted out a 78-66 victory over Charlotte on Tuesday at Williams Arena. Minnesota improved to 2-0 on the season.
Sophomore point guard Emily Fox led the Gophers with 16 points, six rebounds and four assists. Senior Kelly Roysland had 15 points, five rebounds and five assists. Junior forward Leslie Knight added 11 points to score in double figures for the first time in her career.
“This was a game between two very aggressive teams,” Minnesota head coach Pam Borton said. “I was especially pleased by our defense allowing only 28 points in the second half.”
All eight Gophers to see significant minutes scored at least six points. Freshman Korinne Campbell just missed a double-double for the second straight game with eight points and nine rebounds. Freshman forward Ashley Ellis-Milan contributed important minutes off the bench, scoring six points and grabbing six rebounds.
“We don’t win this game without the play of Korinne and Ashley off the bench,” Borton said. “Korinne was a force on the boards for us, and Ashley did a great job playing against the first true post player, Danielle Burgin, that we’ve seen this year.”
Minnesota led by as many as 11 points in the first half and held a 42-38 lead at the break.
The 49ers quickly erased their four-point halftime deficit to tie the score at 44 apiece on a field goal by Sabrina Gregory one minute into the half. Charlotte then went on an 8-2 run over the next three minutes to take a 52-48 lead, its largest of the game.
The teams traded baskets as the score was tied three times over the next seven minutes. Aysha Jones two free throws tied the score at 59-59 with 8:14 remaining. The Gophers scored the next five points, including a big pull-up jumper by Roysland with 4:15 remaining.
At this point, Minnesota’s defense took over, allowing the 49ers just three field goals the rest of the game.
Freshman Katie Ohm hit a crucial three-point basket for the second straight game, as she swished a basket from the right wing with 3:17 remaining to put Minnesota up 69-63.
The Gophers iced the game in the final two minutes, hitting 7-of-9 free throws.
Charlotte’s Gregory led all scorers with 18 points and was the only 49er in double figures.
The Gophers will next host the 2006 Subway Basketball Classic this Saturday and Sunday at Williams Arena. Minnesota will face Princeton in Saturday’s 3 p.m. game and then face either Maine or Middle Tennessee State in the 3 p.m. contest on Sunday. Maine and Middle Tennessee State will play Saturday’s Classic opening game at 1 p.m.
