University of Minnesota Athletics
Barn Blog: Rachel Record Report
12/1/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
It was a picture-perfect shot: Open 3-pointer at the top of the key. Hold the follow-through. Nothing but net.
With that shot, against Auburn on Nov. 28, Rachel Banham became Gopher women's basketball's all-time leading scorer. She had envisioned breaking the record at home, but it was still a special moment in Puerto Rico, with her grandparents looking on.
"My teammates were really excited," Banham said. "People in the stands were standing up and cheering. So it was really cool regardless of how many people were there and where we were."
That triple, one of six she drained in the game on the way to 29 points, gave her 2,287 career points. She finished the game at 2,304.
"When you look at the record itself, you're looking at something that's historic and monumental in women's basketball," head coach Marlene Stollings said.
The 2,285-point record she broke, of course, was held by the guard who led the Gophers to the 2004 Final Four and has won three WNBA titles: Lindsay Whalen.
"She's a huge role model of mine," Banham said. "She's an incredible basketball player."
Whalen is among the scores of people congratulating the new scoring champion on the breaking the record.
"I've had the nicest messages sent to me," Banham said.
Only five games in to her final season, she has plenty of time to add to the record. The number 2,285 will no longer be the main topic of conversation.
"It feels good to have it done with," Banham said. "Now I can just keep building on it, and worry about team goals."
In addition to getting her knee healthy again, continuing to improve and wanting to finish her college career on the court, the big team goal of an NCAA Tournament run enticed Banham to return for a fifth year after her 2014-15 season was cut short. The senior has never played in the Tournament. Any points she adds to her career total will have one end in mind: March Madness.
"That is the dream, the goal, the ultimate thing."
Banham By the Numbers
2,304 career points
107 career games in double figures (91.5 percent of her 117 games)
57 games scoring 20 or more points
14 games scoring 30 or more points
19.7-point-per-game career scoring average
Mark Your Calendar
The Gopehrs will honor Banham for her accomplishment at the Dec. 12 game against Memphis. Tipoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. at Williams Arena.
Story by Justine Buerkle, Assistant Director of Athletic Communications
In the News
Banham breaks scoring record, receives text from Whalen (Pioneer Press)
Weekend recap (Minnesota Daily)
What They're Tweeting
Thank you everyone for the love and support. I am beyond blessed to have so many amazing people in my life. Love you all â¤️😊
- Rachel Banham (@rachelbanham15) November 29, 2015
Minnesota's NEW All-Time Leading Scorer @rachelbanham15 #Monumental #Historic pic.twitter.com/U1iekwRSR4
- Marlene (@Stollings) November 29, 2015
So beyond proud of my teammate and best friend @rachelbanham15 for breaking the all time scoring record. It's an honor to play with you! â¤️
- Mikayla Bailey (@mik_bails11) November 29, 2015
Congrats @rachelbanham15 on becoming all time leading scorer in @GopherWBB history passing the great Lindsay Whalen. @B1Gwbball
- Debbie Antonelli (@debbieantonelli) November 29, 2015
JUST IN: Rachel Banham breaks Lindsay Whalen's career scoring record for @GopherWBB https://t.co/YM1DwNL6eZ pic.twitter.com/WQxLbYA9RM
- Star Tribune Sports (@StribSports) November 29, 2015
