University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
Penn State
Minnesota Wins Big Ten Opener
12/7/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Kiara Buford scored 15 points
to lead Minnesota to a 56-48 victory over Penn State in the Big Ten opener for both teams at Williams Arena on Sunday. The Golden Gophers (6-3, 1-0) made 23 of 26 free throws in the victory.
“It was important for us to get this win to open the Big Ten season and coming off two losses to nationally ranked teams,” said Golden Gopher head coach Pam Borton.
Minnesota needed to click off points one at a time from the free throw line to maintain momentum as the field goals in the scheme of the offense were tough to come by. The Gophers made just 14 of 52 field goal attempts for 26.8 percent and made their offensive efforts even more difficult with a season-high 24 turnovers.
The Gophers, however, brought a stifling defense and a fierce rebounding effort to the game forcing Penn State (5-3, 0-1) into shooting 32.7 percent from the floor with 18 turnovers. Minnesota, led by Jackie Voigt’s career-high 11 rebounds, dominated the boards to the count of 51-28.
“I thought we played very well defensively and holding a good Penn State team to less than 50 points,” added Borton. “Our post players were aggressive, and though they didn’t make a lot of shots, they got the Penn State posts into foul trouble and got to the free throw line.”’
The Lady Lions never led in the contest and faced several double-digit deficits, including a 10-0 Gopher spurt to start the game, battled to tie the score at 36-36 on a Tyra Grant three-point play with 12:38 left to play.
Senior Zoe Harper came up with one of the biggest plays of the game in the Gophers’ next possession gathering a pass from Brittany McCoy and flipping in a hook shot to put Minnesota back into the lead. McCoy would then hit a three-pointer and Buford a short jumper to finish a 7-0 run. The Gophers would run their lead into double figures again at 11 points (52-41) on two Ashley Ellis-Milan free throws with 3:48 remaining.
While Minnesota’s offense managed to build a lead, McCoy and the Gopher defense held Grant without a point for 10 minutes. Grant scored five points in the last 2 1/2 minutes of the game and finished with a game-high 23, but the Gophers would hold off any Penn State comeback attempt by making four of their last five free throws.
McCoy and Voigt each scored 10 points to join Buford in double figures. Voigt tallied her first career double-double with 11 rebounds.
Minnesota returns to non-conference action on Wednesday, Dec. 9, when the Gophers host Idaho State. The Gophers’ next Big Ten game is at Purdue on Dec. 28.
Game Quotes
Minnesota Head Coach Pam Borton
On the team’s progress:
“We’re still a work in progress. We’ve played so many games that we haven’t had much time to practice. We’ve got a long way to go and we’ll keep on getting better.”
On Minnesota’s seniors:
“I think our seniors stepped up and made plays. That’s what seniors do, especially in crunch time.”
On the importance of today’s win:
“We needed to win a game after losing two in a row. We’ve got to get pretty solid before we play our next Big Ten game.”
Minnesota Guard Brittany McCoy
On preparing for today’s game:
“Coach has been telling us for the last couple of days that you have to come with your ‘A’ game whether you’re playing the number one team in the conference or the number ten team. I feel like conference games mean more than non-conference games because our goal is to be number one in the conference.”
On playing against Penn State’s Tyra Grant:
“I’ve played against her for the past three years, so I’m used to guarding her. She’s a great player and I knew that the key was to stay in front of her.”
Penn State Head Coach Coquese Washington
On rebounding:
“I think the biggest factor to me was rebounding. It wasn’t just their [Minnesota’s] post players rebounding. Their guards got a lot of rebounds. They absolutely killed us on the boards and their guards did a great job of getting the long rebounds. Again, it gave them second and third opportunities. They converted them. Whether they kicked it out for a three pointer or they got the ball inside. It was their second and third shots I thought that hurt us down the stretch.”
On Minnesota’s aggressiveness:
“I thought Minnesota was more aggressive offensively than we were. They did a good job of getting the ball in the paint whether it was with drives or passing it into their post. They did a good job of getting the ball inside and attacking. When you’re aggressive like that the referees usually will award you.”
Game Notes
• Jackie Voigt recorded a double-double while only shooting 1-of-11 from the floor, but going 8-for-8 from the free throw line. She also pulled down a career-high 11 rebounds, which was a career high for Voigt. This is Voigt’s first career double-double and her sixth consecutive game in double figures scoring
• The Gophers shot only 26.9% from the floor but went 23-of-26 from the free throw line, making this the highest percentage (88.5) for the season. This continues the trend of the Gophers’ success when they get to the foul line. In the three losses the Gophers have this season they only made to the line an average of 14.3 times. In their victories this year they have made it there 28.6 times.
• Pam Borton continued her success with Big Ten openers pushing her record to 6-2 all-time with the Gophers.
• Kiara Buford led the way with 15 points on the night. She was joined by two other Gophers in the double digit column. Jackie Voigt and Brittany McCoy each notched 10 points, respectively.
• The Gophers were also dominant on the boards recording 51 rebounds to Penn States 28.
• The Gophers were never playing from behind against Penn State. Penn State only evened the scored up one time at 36, but were never able to pass up the Gophers.
• Brittany McCoy recorded four steals surpassing the 200 mark for her career and now has 201. She is one of only six Gophers to accomplish the feat.
• The Gophers will not play another Big Ten game until Dec. 28 when they face Purdue in West LaFayette.
