University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
Pittsburgh
Minnesota Runs Past Pittsburgh in Super Six Series
11/18/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Minnesota and Pittsburgh played the first Super Six Series game Wednesday night at Williams Arena, with the Gophers recording a 73-63 victory before a crowd of 2,752.
The teams battled back and forth from the opening tip, with neither team holding more than a two-point lead until Pittsburgh's Taneisha Harrison scored in the lane to give the Panthers a 22-18 lead with 8:25 remaining in the half.
The Panthers stretched their lead to six points, 24-18, with 7:15 left before the break, but the Gophers began to close the gap. Junior guard Brianna Mastey scored eight points during a 12-6 Minnesota run to tie the score at 30-30 with 3:03 left before the break.
Pitt answered with field goals by Jania Sims and Brittaney Thomas to re-take a 34-30 lead, but the Golden Gophers closed the half with an 11-0 run over the final 2:19 to head to the lockerroom with a 41-34 advantage.
Sims led all players with 14 first-half points, while Voigt led the Gophers with 10 points and Brianna Mastey tallied eight, all during the Gophers' run to tie the score.
The Panthers opened the second half by scoring the first five points to cut Minnesota's lead to two points, 41-39. But the Golden Gophers took over from there, opening up as much as a 14-point lead and then holding on for their second win in three games this season.
Senior point guard China Antoine led the Gophers with 18 points and five assists, making a career-best 6-of-7 from three-point range. Junior guard Kiara Buford also reached double figures with 15 points, and Voigt finished with 12 points and eight boards.
Brianna Mastey had a career-high 10 points to go along with seven rebounds, and senior forward Kristen Dockery had career-highs for points (8), rebounds (tie, 9), and minutes played (30). For a frame of reference on Dockery's minutes played total tonight, she played a total of 34 minutes combined in the previous two seasons due to injuries.
Minnesota returns to action this weekend, playing host to the Subway Classic at Williams Arena. The Golden Gophers open play on Saturday afternoon at 1:00 p.m. (CST) versus Milwaukee. Dayton and South Dakota play Saturday's other game, which will tip off at 3:30 p.m.
For ticket information, call the Golden Gopher Ticket Office at 612.624.8080 or 1.800.U.GOPHER, or visit www.mygophersports.com and select women's basketball.
