University of Minnesota Athletics
Saturday, November 28
Bahamas
University of Minnesota
56
vs
71
Xavier
Gophers Fall to No. 9/10 Xavier, Voigt All-Tourney
11/28/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Minnesota might have finished second in the Junkanoo Jam on Grand Bahama Island on Saturday, losing the title game by a 71-56 score to No. 9//10 Xavier, but the Musketeers left the court with a solid respect for the Golden Gophers and their following.
A Xavier assistant coach stopped by as the Gophers were loading the bus and commented, “Wow, you guys are tough and we’re not going to come play at Minnesota, not with your fans.” The Gophers had by far the largest, and most vocal, fan following at the Junkanoo Jam.
The Gophers gave the Musketeers a battle from the opening tip to the final buzzer. Minnesota (5-2) held the lead for the first 11 minutes of the game with Jackie Voigt, who was named to the Junkanoo Jam all-tournament team, scored five early points.
Xavier’s Tyeasha Moss hit the Musketeers’ first three-pointer of the game to tie it at 11-11 with 8:49 left in the first half. That triple was the first of three consecutive three-pointers as the Musketeers blitzed the Gophers with a 14-0 run. A Voigt jumper seven minutes later stopped the rally, but the damage was done as Xavier took a 27-15 lead at halftime. Ten of the Musketeers first half points came off Minnesota turnovers.
The Gophers regrouped at the half and mounted a second-half comeback. Ashley Ellis-Milan, Kiara Buford and Voigt hit baskets as Minnesota tallied the first six points of the second half to cut the deficit in half. Moss was Xavier’s answer once again as she brought the Musketeers back with another big three pointer.
Minnesota would come back one more time, this time led by baskets by Leah Cotton and China Antoine bring the Gophers to within five points with 11:48 to play. Xavier called a time out and looked once again for Moss, who scored a three-point play to halt Minnesota’s rally. The Musketeers held the Gophers back the rest of the way.
Ellis-Milan led the Gophers with 14 points and was joined in double figures by Voigt with 13 and Cotton off the bench with 10.
Xavier improved to 6-0 on the season and were led by Junkanoo Jam MVP April Phillips. Moss finished with 15.
Minnesota’s next game is Thursday, Dec. 3, when the Gophers travel to Maryland for the Big Ten/ACC Challenge.
A Xavier assistant coach stopped by as the Gophers were loading the bus and commented, “Wow, you guys are tough and we’re not going to come play at Minnesota, not with your fans.” The Gophers had by far the largest, and most vocal, fan following at the Junkanoo Jam.
The Gophers gave the Musketeers a battle from the opening tip to the final buzzer. Minnesota (5-2) held the lead for the first 11 minutes of the game with Jackie Voigt, who was named to the Junkanoo Jam all-tournament team, scored five early points.
Xavier’s Tyeasha Moss hit the Musketeers’ first three-pointer of the game to tie it at 11-11 with 8:49 left in the first half. That triple was the first of three consecutive three-pointers as the Musketeers blitzed the Gophers with a 14-0 run. A Voigt jumper seven minutes later stopped the rally, but the damage was done as Xavier took a 27-15 lead at halftime. Ten of the Musketeers first half points came off Minnesota turnovers.
The Gophers regrouped at the half and mounted a second-half comeback. Ashley Ellis-Milan, Kiara Buford and Voigt hit baskets as Minnesota tallied the first six points of the second half to cut the deficit in half. Moss was Xavier’s answer once again as she brought the Musketeers back with another big three pointer.
Minnesota would come back one more time, this time led by baskets by Leah Cotton and China Antoine bring the Gophers to within five points with 11:48 to play. Xavier called a time out and looked once again for Moss, who scored a three-point play to halt Minnesota’s rally. The Musketeers held the Gophers back the rest of the way.
Ellis-Milan led the Gophers with 14 points and was joined in double figures by Voigt with 13 and Cotton off the bench with 10.
Xavier improved to 6-0 on the season and were led by Junkanoo Jam MVP April Phillips. Moss finished with 15.
Minnesota’s next game is Thursday, Dec. 3, when the Gophers travel to Maryland for the Big Ten/ACC Challenge.
Players Mentioned
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/ Women's Basketball
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