University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
Alabama A&M
Minnesota Struggles at Line, Falls at Alabama A&M
12/15/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
It's tough to win on the road, no matter where you play, and Minnesota's first-half struggles at the free throw line put the Gophers in a hole that they weren't able to dig out of in a 75-68 setback at Alabama A&M on Tuesday night.
Alabama A&M jumped out to an early 9-3 lead behind seven quick points from the Bulldogs' leading scorer, Whiquitta Tobar.
The Bulldogs still led 15-9 with 13:16 left in the opening half before the Gophers went on a 9-0 run to pull in front, 18-15. Sophomore forward Katie Loberg scored four points during the stretch, while sophomore guard Leah Cotton closed the run with the final three points to give Minnesota its first lead.
Tobar then hit one of her two first-half treys to tie the game at 18-18 halfway through the opening period. After freshman forward Micaëlla Riché scored to put the Gophers up 20-18 with 9:12 on the clock, the Bulldogs responded with a 12-3 spurt to open a seven-point advantage at the 2:39 mark.
Alabama A&M built its lead to nine points, 33-24, before settling for an eight-point lead (35-27) at the half. The Bulldogs were paced by Tobar's 17 points, which matches her scoring average this season. Minnesota, which struggled at the free throw line by making just 11-of-22 first-half tries, was led by Cotton's 10 points.
Junior guard Brianna Mastey scored the first seven points of the second half for Minnesota, and junior guard Kiara Buford scored four points, as the Gophers rallied to tie the score, 42-42. But every time the Gophers were able to mount a charge, the Bulldogs had an answer, with Tobar being the biggest thorn in the Gophers' side with a game-high 31 points.
Cotton scored more than 20 points for the fifth time this season, finishing with 21 points off the bench for the Gophers, while Brianna Mastey added a career-best 12 points, Buford had 12.
The Gophers now have a break for final exams before closing the non-conference portion of their schedule with a home game against Northern Arizona on Wednesday, Dec. 22, at 7:00 p.m. (CST).
