University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
Auburn
Banham Breaks Minnesota Scoring Record
11/28/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
With a 3-pointer from the top of the key, senior guard Rachel Banham became the all-time leading scorer in Minnesota women's basketball history. Banham's 29 points in an 81-79 overtime San Juan Shootout loss against Auburn pushed her career total to 2,304. The loss was the Gophers' first of the season, as they are 4-1 leaving Puerto Rico.
Banham passed Lindsay Whalen's program record of 2,285 points, set from 2000 to 2004. She was poised to break the record in 2014-15 before an ACL injury shortened her season after 10 games. Banham returned for a fifth year and broke the record in 117 total games.
More @rachelbanham15 record posts to come, but we'll end tonight with one of the angles of "the shot": https://t.co/GdorSUgJ99 #FireWithin
- Minnesota WBB (@GopherWBB) November 29, 2015
Minnesota came back from as many as 15 points behind to send the game to overtime at 71-all. The Gophers took an early lead in the back-and-forth extra period, but a late Auburn 3-pointer helped push the game the Tigers' way.
In her second game as a Gopher, and her first start, Karley Barnes scored 19 points and grabbed six rebounds. She started the game 5-for-5 from the field for 10 points in the first quarter.
Auburn led 16-14 after the first 10 minutes. The Tigers led by as much as 15 in the second quarter. Free throws from Shayne Mullaney and a Carlie Wagner baseline jumper helped trim the deficit to 42-33 at halftime. Wagner scored 15 points on the game.
Banham's record-breaking shot came in the third quarter. The shot gave her 12 points for the game and 2,287 for her career.
The Gophers entered the fourth quarter down 60-47. Banham made three 3-pointers in the final frame. The score was 69-66, Auburn, before two Wagner free throws cut the deficit to one. On Auburn's next possession, Mikayla Bailey batted the ball away to Shayne Mullaney. The Tigers then forced a turnover of their own and scored.
Barnes converted a three-point play with 42.8 seconds remaining to tie the game at 71. Auburn missed a 3-pointer that went out of bounds off a Gopher, then did not get a shot off after the inbounds pass.
In overtime, the Gophers got out to a three-point lead. After a few traded baskets, the Tigers would tie the game at 76. Wagner drove and scored to make it 78-76. Then Auburn got a free throw, forced a shot clock violation and Brandy Montgomery hit a triple to put Auburn ahead 80-78. The Gophers' last shot attempt missed, and Auburn rebounded to hold on for the win.
Minnesota will again play away from home next week, facing Duke at Cameron Indoor Stadium Dec. 3 in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge. The Gophers' next home game will be against Towson on Dec. 6.
