University of Minnesota Athletics
Sunday, November 19
Williams Arena
University of Minnesota
61
vs
79
Middle Tennessee
Minnesota Defeated in Subway Championship Game by Middle Tennessee
11/19/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Minnesota dropped its first game of the season in losing 79-61 to Middle Tennessee State in the championship game of the 2006 Subway Basketball Classic. The Golden Gophers fall to 3-1 on the season.
The loss marked the first time in six years that the Gophers have not won their own early-season tournament.
“We played an NCAA Tournament-caliber team and when you have a young team and play a team like this, they can exploit some of your weaknesses,” said Golden Gopher head coach Pam Borton. “It’s a great time of the season to play a team like that. We know what to work on when we get back in the gym on Tuesday.”
Senior guard Kelly Roysland led Minnesota with 18 points. Freshman Brittany McCoy scored 13 points, while Ashley Ellis-Milan and Korinne Campbell added 11 and 10, respectively. Roysland and McCoy were both named to the all-tournament team.
The Blue Raiders (2-2) jumped out to a quick 14-6 lead capped by a field goal by senior guard Chrissy Givens. Minnesota would not get closer than within six points the rest of the way. A basket down low by freshman center Zoe Harper made the score 18-12 with 10:02 remaining in the half, but the Blue Raiders quickly responded with a 12-0 run to push its advantage to 30-12.
Givens, the Classic most valuable player, scored 18 first-half points in leading the Blue Raiders to a 38-24 lead at the break. The Gophers helped by committing 18 of its season-high 31 turnovers in the first half.
“We let their pressure get to us especially in the first half,” added Borton. “I am proud of this team that they came out in the second half and kept playing and didn’t quit. We learned from some of our mistakes and built a bit of a run.”
In the second half, the Gophers trailed by a game-high 29 points at 69-40 with 11:17 remaining, however Minnesota didn’t give up, turning up its defensive pressure and forcing six Middle Tennessee turnovers en route to a 15-0 run sparked by six points from Campbell.
With 6:48 remaining, sophomore Emily Fox stole the ball from Givens and scored her only basket of the game to cut the lead to 69-53. Blue Raiders guard Johnna Abney turned the ball over on the inbounds pass after Fox’s layup. Minnesota had a chance to cut the deficit further but Roysland was called for an offensive foul that nullified a short jumper.
The Gophers got the ball back after a miss by Amber Holt and Roysland went to the line and made two free throws, cutting the lead to 14 at 69-55, the closest the Gophers would come. On Middle Tennessee’s next possession, Givens’ short jumper was blocked by Campbell. Roylsand grabbed the rebound and threw a long pass to McCoy, who was called for an offensive foul to halt the Gophers’ run.
Middle Tennessee played its best offensive game of the season, hitting on 54.1 percent of its field goal attempts.
“We played a great game against a young team in a game that will make us a better ballclub,” said Blue Raider head coach Rick Insell. “We were 0-2 coming into this weekend, we needed this win.”
Givens finished with 25 points, seven rebounds and seven assists in being named the tournament Most Valuable Player. Teammate Starr Orr joined Givens on the all-tournament Team. Princeton’s Meaghan Cowher and Maine’s Bracey Barker completed the all-tournament selections.
Minnesota will be in home action again on Wednesday, Nov. 22 when it hosts Creighton at 7 p.m. at Williams Arena.
The loss marked the first time in six years that the Gophers have not won their own early-season tournament.
“We played an NCAA Tournament-caliber team and when you have a young team and play a team like this, they can exploit some of your weaknesses,” said Golden Gopher head coach Pam Borton. “It’s a great time of the season to play a team like that. We know what to work on when we get back in the gym on Tuesday.”
Senior guard Kelly Roysland led Minnesota with 18 points. Freshman Brittany McCoy scored 13 points, while Ashley Ellis-Milan and Korinne Campbell added 11 and 10, respectively. Roysland and McCoy were both named to the all-tournament team.
The Blue Raiders (2-2) jumped out to a quick 14-6 lead capped by a field goal by senior guard Chrissy Givens. Minnesota would not get closer than within six points the rest of the way. A basket down low by freshman center Zoe Harper made the score 18-12 with 10:02 remaining in the half, but the Blue Raiders quickly responded with a 12-0 run to push its advantage to 30-12.
Givens, the Classic most valuable player, scored 18 first-half points in leading the Blue Raiders to a 38-24 lead at the break. The Gophers helped by committing 18 of its season-high 31 turnovers in the first half.
“We let their pressure get to us especially in the first half,” added Borton. “I am proud of this team that they came out in the second half and kept playing and didn’t quit. We learned from some of our mistakes and built a bit of a run.”
In the second half, the Gophers trailed by a game-high 29 points at 69-40 with 11:17 remaining, however Minnesota didn’t give up, turning up its defensive pressure and forcing six Middle Tennessee turnovers en route to a 15-0 run sparked by six points from Campbell.
With 6:48 remaining, sophomore Emily Fox stole the ball from Givens and scored her only basket of the game to cut the lead to 69-53. Blue Raiders guard Johnna Abney turned the ball over on the inbounds pass after Fox’s layup. Minnesota had a chance to cut the deficit further but Roysland was called for an offensive foul that nullified a short jumper.
The Gophers got the ball back after a miss by Amber Holt and Roysland went to the line and made two free throws, cutting the lead to 14 at 69-55, the closest the Gophers would come. On Middle Tennessee’s next possession, Givens’ short jumper was blocked by Campbell. Roylsand grabbed the rebound and threw a long pass to McCoy, who was called for an offensive foul to halt the Gophers’ run.
Middle Tennessee played its best offensive game of the season, hitting on 54.1 percent of its field goal attempts.
“We played a great game against a young team in a game that will make us a better ballclub,” said Blue Raider head coach Rick Insell. “We were 0-2 coming into this weekend, we needed this win.”
Givens finished with 25 points, seven rebounds and seven assists in being named the tournament Most Valuable Player. Teammate Starr Orr joined Givens on the all-tournament Team. Princeton’s Meaghan Cowher and Maine’s Bracey Barker completed the all-tournament selections.
Minnesota will be in home action again on Wednesday, Nov. 22 when it hosts Creighton at 7 p.m. at Williams Arena.
Players Mentioned
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