University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
13-6, 5-3
Wisconsin
6-12, 2-6
Gophers Win Eighth Straight Border Battle
1/23/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Box Score 
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The Golden Gophers (13-6, 5-3 Big Ten) earned their eighth straight win over Wisconsin (6-12, 2-6 Big Ten), 84-77. Rachel Banham and Carlie Wagner each scored 20 points, and Allina Starr turned in Minnesota's first double-double in conference play this season.
Minnesota led by up to 23 points before Wisconsin got back into the game in the fourth. But 18 second-half points from Banham helped the Gophers hold on for their third consecutive conference victory.
Starr scored 10 points and pulled down 12 rebounds. Joanna Hedstrom also notched 12 rebounds to go with her nine points. The dozen caroms marked career highs for both.
Wisconsin made 10 3-pointers to Minnesota's six, but the Gophers had a 38-28 advantage in the paint. The Gophers outrebounded the Badgers 47-42 and scored 24 second-chance points to the Badgers' 12. Nicole Bauman led Wisconsin with 25 points.
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Quarter: Wisconsin native Annalese Lamke scored the Gophers' first four points, and they went ahead 21-15 in the first. A dozen of the Gophers' points in the period came in the paint, while Wisconsin got nine of its points behind the 3-point line. Each team took advantage of eight offensive rebounds.
Second Quarter: Starting with her last shot in the first quarter, Wagner scored seven straight points for the Gophers. After going through the first without a 3-pointer, Minnesota connected on four baskets from long distance in the second. They built to their largest lead of the half, 42-30, heading to the locker room. Wagner had 12 points to lead all scorers. Starr and Hedstrom each had eight rebounds.
Third Quarter: Minnesota pulled farther away from Wisconsin in the third. They shot 11-of-20 in the frame. Banham compiled a nine-point quarter after scoring two points in the first half. The Gophers led by as much as 23 and ended the quarter ahead 68-48.
Fourth Quarter: Wisconsin cut the lead to 72-64 with four 3-pointers in the first half of the quarter. After a timeout, Banham brought the lead back to double digits with a triple of her own. The Badgers trimmed the lead to 77-70 with under three minutes left. A field goal each by Wagner and Starr, and three free throws between the pair, brought it back to 82-70. The Badgers continued to keep it close, but the Gophers would win by seven.
MORE NOTES
*Starr's double-double was Minnesota's first since Banham had one against Memphis on Dec. 12. It was her first as a Gopher.
*For the 10th time this season, Banham and Wagner scored 20-plus points in the same game.
*Banham moved into 37th on the NCAA's all-time career scoring list, passing Candice Wiggins (Stanford) and Korie Hlede (Duquesne).
*After making two 3-pointers, Mikayla Bailey now ranks sixth on Minnesota's career list with 134. She passed Shannon Loeblein.
*The eight-game winning streak against Wisconsin is Minnesota's longest active conference win streak.
ILLINOIS GAME TIME CHANGED
The Gophers' upcoming game against Illinois on Tuesday, Jan. 26 has been moved up to 7 p.m. due to changes in BTN's programming for the night. (The original start time was 8 p.m.)
Rachel Banham and Carlie Wagner both scored 20 points to help lead @GopherWBB to a 84-77 win against Wisconsin. https://t.co/9zheTwRhLz
-- Minnesota on BTN (@MinnesotaOnBTN) January 23, 2016
