University of Minnesota Athletics
Sunday, January 10
Champaign, IL
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Illinois
Gophers Lose Heartbreaker at Illinois
1/10/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Illinois freshman Adrienne Godbold converted a three-point play with nine seconds remaining to hand Minnesota a heartbreaking 64-62 loss at Assembly Hall in Champaign, Ill, on Sunday. Jackie Voigt led four Golden Gophers in double figures with 17 points.
Minnesota (10-6, 3-2) had a chance to win the game on its final possession but a Brittany McCoy three-pointer has on line but bounced off the rim. Kiara Buford had position for a tip-in but mishandled the rebound.
“It’s tough to win when you turn the ball over that much,” said Golden Gopher head coach Pam Borton. “The turnovers and putting them at the line so much in the second half were key to us losing this game.”
The Gophers led 34-25 at halftime and took its biggest lead of the game at 15 points with 18:27 left when Voigt banked home a three-pointer from the top of the key.
The Illini (11-4, 3-2) looked to Jenna Smith to bring Illinois back and the senior answered the call. Smith scored 17 of her game-high 26 points in the second half. She collected her 1,000th career rebound and finished with 11 for a double-double. Smith went to the free throw line eight times in the second half and 12 times in the game, making 11.
A turn-around jumper by Smith with 3:04 left on the clock gave Illinois its first lead since the game’s opening minutes at 56-55. The score was tied three times and the lead changed hands fourth times down the stretch.
Voigt hit two free throws with 29 seconds remaining to give the Gophers a one-point lead at 62-61. After a time out, Illinois worked the ball around on offense looking first for Smith, then Simpson, but the ball fell in the hands of Godbold. A 5-11 guard, Godbold drove hard in the lane, drew the whistle and finished the shot. Ashley Ellis-Milan fouled out on the play.
Minnesota was unable to overcome 23 turnovers in the game as Illinois scored 26 points off Gopher miscues.
China Antoine made four three-point field goals in the first half and finished with 16 points. Zoe Harper came off the bench of the foul-plagued Ellis-Milan and played very well with 11 points and eight rebounds. McCoy added 10 points and five assists.
Minnesota returns to action on Thursday when the Gophers play host to Purdue.
Minnesota (10-6, 3-2) had a chance to win the game on its final possession but a Brittany McCoy three-pointer has on line but bounced off the rim. Kiara Buford had position for a tip-in but mishandled the rebound.
“It’s tough to win when you turn the ball over that much,” said Golden Gopher head coach Pam Borton. “The turnovers and putting them at the line so much in the second half were key to us losing this game.”
The Gophers led 34-25 at halftime and took its biggest lead of the game at 15 points with 18:27 left when Voigt banked home a three-pointer from the top of the key.
The Illini (11-4, 3-2) looked to Jenna Smith to bring Illinois back and the senior answered the call. Smith scored 17 of her game-high 26 points in the second half. She collected her 1,000th career rebound and finished with 11 for a double-double. Smith went to the free throw line eight times in the second half and 12 times in the game, making 11.
A turn-around jumper by Smith with 3:04 left on the clock gave Illinois its first lead since the game’s opening minutes at 56-55. The score was tied three times and the lead changed hands fourth times down the stretch.
Voigt hit two free throws with 29 seconds remaining to give the Gophers a one-point lead at 62-61. After a time out, Illinois worked the ball around on offense looking first for Smith, then Simpson, but the ball fell in the hands of Godbold. A 5-11 guard, Godbold drove hard in the lane, drew the whistle and finished the shot. Ashley Ellis-Milan fouled out on the play.
Minnesota was unable to overcome 23 turnovers in the game as Illinois scored 26 points off Gopher miscues.
China Antoine made four three-point field goals in the first half and finished with 16 points. Zoe Harper came off the bench of the foul-plagued Ellis-Milan and played very well with 11 points and eight rebounds. McCoy added 10 points and five assists.
Minnesota returns to action on Thursday when the Gophers play host to Purdue.
Players Mentioned
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