University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
Baylor
Minnesota Falls to #2/3 Baylor
12/5/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Second-ranked Baylor proved why it's a contender for a national title this season, as it defeated Minnesota 103-56 on Sunday afternoon at the Ferrell Center in Waco, Texas. The Lady Bears (9-1) had four players reach double-figures, led by Brittney Griner's 22 points, in the win against Minnesota (5-4).
The Gophers opened the scoring with a jumper along the left side by senior guard China Antoine, but Baylor's Kimetria Hayden hit a pair of treys during an 8-0 run for the Lady Bears. Senior forward Kristen Dockery made a jumper and junior guard Kiara Buford hit a free throw to cut the lead to 8-5, but BU responded with an 18-2 run to open a 26-7 lead.
Sophomore guard Leah Cotton then scored on a three-point play, followed by a trey from Antoine, and the Gophers had cut the Lady Bears' lead to 26-13.
But Baylor was red-hot from three-point range, as the Lady Bears made 7-of-13 first-half attempts from long-range and outscored the Gophers 12-3 at the free throw line to build a 30-point halftime lead, 53-23. Baylor had three players in double figures at the half, led by sophomore All-American Brittney Griner's 12 points.
Minnesota was led by Antoine's 10 points, as she made 4-of-8 field goals, including two from beyond the arc in the opening 20 minutes.
The Lady Bears didn't cool off in te second half, building a lead as large as 49 points before the Gophers outscored Baylor 19-17 over the final 8:33.
Cotton led Minnesota with 20 points on 5-of-11 field goals and 9-of-13 free throws in the game, while Antoine added 14 points and Buford had 12. For the game, the Gophers were held to 17-of-55 (.309) field goals, including 4-of-18 three-pointers. A key to Baylor's victory was the fact the Lady Bears were 11-of-23 (.478) from three-point range and 28-of-32 (.875) at the line.
Minnesota returns home to face Southern University on Thursday at 7:00 p.m.
