University of Minnesota Athletics
Saturday, November 25
Flagstaff, AZ
University of Minnesota
70
vs
67
Kent State
Gophers Defeat Kent State, Borton Wins 100th at Minnesota
11/26/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Kelly Roysland tied her career high with 23 points and Emily Fox set a new career best with 21 points to lead Minnesota to a 70-67 victory over Kent State in the consolation game of the Northern Arizona Thanksgiving Tournament on Saturday. The win is head coach Pam Borton’s 100th victory at Minnesota. The Golden Gophers improve to 5-2 on the season.
“I’m excited to get that 100th victory but all the credit goes to all the players we’ve had at Minnesota over the past five seasons,” said Borton, who is 100-35 on the Golden Gopher sidelines.
Minnesota grabbed its biggest lead of the game, 11 points at 44-33, with 15:39 left in the game. Kent State (1-3) used a 9-1 run to tighten the game for the home stretch.
The Gophers’ lead suddenly resembled that of the California condors that soar high above the nearby Grand Canyon, endangered. The Golden Flashes made use of three consecutive Gopher turnovers to take a brief lead at 63-62 on a lay-up by Jamilah Humes with 3:27 left on the clock. Fox slashed to the basket to regain the lead in the next Minnesota possession. Fox scored added another jumper with 1:02 left to give the Gophers a three-point advantage.
A La’kia Stewart hit a free throw but missed the second and Ashley Ellis-Milan grabbed the rebound and after the teams traded turnovers the Golden Flashes sent Roysland to the charity stripe with 25 seconds left. Roysland calmly converted both tosses and the Gophers were up by four points, 68-64.
Stewart hit a late three-pointer with 3.4 seconds returning to keep Kent State’s hopes alive at 68-67. The Gophers inbounded the ball to Roysland, who was fouled and sealed the win with two more free throws.
Roysland and Fox combined for 27 points in the second half alone. Fox added a team-high six assists, while Roysland tied her career-high with four three-point field goals. Roysland was named to the all-tournament. Korinne Campbell and Leslie Knight led the Gophers with seven rebounds.
Minnesota returns home for two games this week, hosting Vermont on Nov. 30 and Chicago State on Dec. 2.
“I’m excited to get that 100th victory but all the credit goes to all the players we’ve had at Minnesota over the past five seasons,” said Borton, who is 100-35 on the Golden Gopher sidelines.
Minnesota grabbed its biggest lead of the game, 11 points at 44-33, with 15:39 left in the game. Kent State (1-3) used a 9-1 run to tighten the game for the home stretch.
The Gophers’ lead suddenly resembled that of the California condors that soar high above the nearby Grand Canyon, endangered. The Golden Flashes made use of three consecutive Gopher turnovers to take a brief lead at 63-62 on a lay-up by Jamilah Humes with 3:27 left on the clock. Fox slashed to the basket to regain the lead in the next Minnesota possession. Fox scored added another jumper with 1:02 left to give the Gophers a three-point advantage.
A La’kia Stewart hit a free throw but missed the second and Ashley Ellis-Milan grabbed the rebound and after the teams traded turnovers the Golden Flashes sent Roysland to the charity stripe with 25 seconds left. Roysland calmly converted both tosses and the Gophers were up by four points, 68-64.
Stewart hit a late three-pointer with 3.4 seconds returning to keep Kent State’s hopes alive at 68-67. The Gophers inbounded the ball to Roysland, who was fouled and sealed the win with two more free throws.
Roysland and Fox combined for 27 points in the second half alone. Fox added a team-high six assists, while Roysland tied her career-high with four three-point field goals. Roysland was named to the all-tournament. Korinne Campbell and Leslie Knight led the Gophers with seven rebounds.
Minnesota returns home for two games this week, hosting Vermont on Nov. 30 and Chicago State on Dec. 2.
Players Mentioned
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/ Women's Basketball
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/ Women's Basketball
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