University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
6-1
Georgia Tech
5-3
Gophers Top Georgia Tech, 72-69
11/30/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
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FORT MYERS, FLA. - The University of Minnesota (6-1) women's basketball team got 25 points from Rachel Banham and 22 points from Shae Kelley as it defeated Georgia Tech (5-3), 72-69, Sunday afternoon to place fifth overall in the Gulf Coast Showcase at Germain Arena.
It was once again a strong second half that secured the win for the Maroon and Gold. Behind the leadership of the Gophers' two seniors, the team posted a .579 field goal percentage in the final 20 minutes of play, giving the squad a .556 (25-45) shooting percentage for the contest.
Banham scored 16 points and Kelley 10 points in the second half, while Minnesota was helped by Georgia Tech's foul trouble in the stanza, as 13 Yellow Jacket fouls sent the Gophers to the free throw line 16 times.
With her sixth point of the game in the first half, Banham surpassed Carol Ann Shudlick for No. 2 all-time on Minnesota's career scoring register. She currently boasts 2,117 career points.
The Gophers scored 12-straight points, which included five each from Kelley and Banham, to open the second half and take a 12-point lead, 48-36, at the 16:40 mark. After leading by as many as 13 points, the Yellow Jackets used an 18-2 run to take a 59-56 lead at 7:30, but Bailey answered with a three-pointer to once again give the advantage back to Minnesota.
A pair of free throws from Kelley and a three-point play from Banham capped off a 14-7 run by the Gophers and a lead that they never relinquished.
Minnesota and Georgia Tech headed into halftime tied, 36-36, paced by Kelley's 12 points.
Minnesota concludes its four-game road swing on Wednesday, Dec. 3, when it takes on NC State in the ACC/B1G Challenge at 6 p.m.
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