University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
Illinois
Offensive Struggles Costly in Loss at Illinois
12/31/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Minnesota struggled offensively, making just 19-of-52 (.365) field goals and 0-of-10 treys in losing its Big Ten opener at Illinois on Thursday night, 64-50.
The Gophers missed their first five attempts from three-point range to fall behind, 14-8, by the second media timeout with 11:31 to go in the half. Junior guard Brianna Mastey scored six of the Gophers' first eight points, but the Illini had connected on their first two treys and made 4-of-4 free throws to build the lead.
Trailing by a score of 26-12, the Gophers went on a 6-0 run on a basket by junior guard Kiara Buford and a pair of scores by sophomore guard Leah Cotton to cut it to 26-18 with 4:06 before the break. But Illinois took a 30-20 lead to the locker room, with Lydia McCully and Lana Rukavina each exceeding their season averages with nine points apiece.
The Gophers (8-6, 0-1 Big Ten) were led by Buford and Mastey with six points each in the opening half, but Minnesota was held to 9-of-28 (.321) from the field, including 0-of-7 from beyond the arc.
Minnesota's offensive struggles continued in the second half, as the Gophers made just 3-of-10 field goals over the first 8:09 to trail by 14 points, 41-27. Illinois (6-8, 1-0 Big Ten) built its advantage to as many as 19 points before holding on for the 14-point victory.
The Gophers were led by Cotton's 13 points, while Buford also reached double-figures with 12 points, and Mastey finished with nine points and a team-high seven rebounds. Illinois outrebounded the Gophers, 37-33, as Karisma Penn finished with 16 boards, 20 points, six steals, and five blocked shots. McCully added 18 points and Rukavina finished with 13 points.
The Gophers play their Big Ten home opener versus Indiana on Sunday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. (CST) in Williams Arena. The game will be broadcast on KBEM (88.5 FM) and other selected affiliates on the Gopher Radio Network, with Corbu Stathes calling the play-by-play and Lynnette Sjoquist adding color analysis.
