University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
South Dakota State
Gophers' Winning Streak Snapped by SDSU
12/10/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Minnesota saw its eight-game winning streak come to an end with a 65-55 loss to South Dakota State in Williams Arena on Tuesday. The Golden Gophers, 8-2, were led by Ashley Ellis-Milan with 15 points and eight rebounds.
South Dakota State (9-1) captured its third win of the season over a Big Ten school and it did so by being the more aggressive team in the second half. The Jackrabbits made 25 trips to the free throw line in the half, making 15 to outscore the Gophers by a telling 15-6 margin.
Leading by a 33-28 score at halftime, Minnesota started the second period like it did the first with a quick run of points. The Gophers grabbed their biggest lead of the game, 11 points, on two free throws by Ellis-Milan to cap off a 6-0 run.
The Jackrabbits had a big answer in the form of sophomore forward Kristin Rotert. Rotert ended the Gophers’ 8-0 run to start the game with back-to-back three-point field goals. Rotert, who scored a career-high 27 points, did it again in the second half and turned the momentum to South Dakota State’s advantage. Rotert connected on six of her seven shots from three-point range.
Emily Fox, who scored nine points missing double figures for the second straight game, hit a jumper to briefly halt SDSU’s attack, but Fox’s jumper at the 14:43 would be the Gophers’ last for a nearly seven minutes. The Gophers’ 41-34 lead would soon turn into a deficit. With the Jackrabbits missing five three throws in the stretch, Minnesota was still within striking distance and down six points (51-45) when Ellis-Milan’s jumper at the 8:06 mark broke the lid off the basket for the Gophers.
The Gopher defense forced two SDSU turnovers and a missed shot in the Jackrabbits’ next three possessions, but were unable to turn those stops into points on the offensive end. The Jackrabbits starting making their free throws count and were able to extend their lead into double digits several times.
A weary performance offensively resulted in just 22 points after halftime; disappointing considering Minnesota’s 50-plus second-half outings in its three previous games. The Gophers went just 8-of-35 from the floor for 22.9 percent and came up empty on all six of their three-point field goal attempts.
Big Ten three-point leader Katie Ohm hit three treys, all in the first half, and finished with nine points. Brittany McCoy was the only other Gopher in double figures finishing with 12 points.
The Gophers have a 12-day break for final exams before their next game, Dec. 21 at Iowa State.
Minnesota Post-Game Quotes
Head Coach Pam Borton
On SDSU’s play in the second half:
“You really have to hand it to SDSU. They really came out and executed in the second half. That last 15 minutes they really put it together, but we really struggled when they were rolling. SDSU really made their shots count and put together a very strong finish to end the game.”
On Minnesota’s bench play:
“We have to get more production from our bench. We really need them to step up and be able to play in the big games. The players on the floor need to have a break so the team can stay fresh. Right now we are just not getting what we need from those players on the bench.”
On being ranked prior to the game:
“I was telling my staff earlier today that getting ranked can sometimes be the kiss of death. We work so hard to get that spot and then as soon as you get there the next game seems to not go the way you had hoped. The players were unaware of the ranking before the game, so I know that they didn’t play with the ranking on their minds.”
Senior Guard Emily Fox
On the second half:
“It was frustration. Like coach said, we weren’t executing and not hitting our shots. It’s tough to win when you shoot only 22 percent in the second half.”
On SDSU hitting the big three-pointers:
“The game turned around when they hit two big threes. We never recovered from that. In past games we have been able to turn it on and come back, but it just wasn’t there for us tonight. Our defensive transition wasn’t there. They were getting wide-open shots in transition. We came ready to play but they were the tougher team tonight.”
Junior center Ashley Ellis-Milan
On the game:
“We are a good basketball team. Tonight, in the second half, SDSU took over and we could not recover. That is hands-down what it was. We have 12 days to prepare and get better before we play Iowa State. This is a lesson learned for us.
On the loss:
“It is before our conference season and it gives us time to get better. We will be in the gym, shooting and doing whatever we can to get better. We just have to work on some things. We’ll be fine."
