University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
Boston College
Gophers Have Two Double-Doubles in Win over BC
11/19/2017 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Gophers Host Xavier Wednesday Night at Williams Arena
Kenisha Bell scored a career-high 31 points with her third consecutive double-double as Minnesota beat Boston College, 78-68. Freshman Destiny Pitts had her second double-double in a row as the Maroon and Gold moved to 4-0 for a program-record fourth straight season.
Bell shot 11-for-25 from the field, including a 4-for-8 mark from 3-point range. She was 5-for-5 from the free throw line and tallied 10 rebounds, five assists and three steals. Pitts had 14 points and a season-high 16 rebounds and is averaging a double-double.
Minnesota never trailed in the game and led the Eagles (2-2) by as much as 20 in the second half before Boston College chipped into the lead. The visiting team shot 42.6 percent to Minnesota's 36.6, but the Gophers outrebounded the Eagles 54-30.
Gadiva Hubbard joined Bell and Pitts in double figures with 10 points, and Carlie Wagner had nine. Jessie Edwards had nine rebounds. Sydney Lowery led Boston College with 19 points.
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Quarter: Bell scored the Gophers' first seven points, including one sequence of a 3-pointer, steal, spin move and layup to put Minnesota up 7-2. She continued to carry the offense with 16 of 20 total first-half points, including two 3-pointers. The Eagles kept the game close and Minnesota had a 20-15 lead at the end of the first.
Second Quarter: Minnesota held Boston College scoreless for nearly the first four minutes of the second quarter. Hubbard and Taiye Bello started to get into the scoring mix as the Gophers expanded their lead, and Fernstrom made a pair of free throws for an 11-point lead following the Eagles' first basket. Bell broke a brief field goal drought for the Gophers with her third triple of the night to make it 32-20 with 4:22 left in the half. Minnesota led 43-29 at the half, and Bell already had 23 points and rebounds.
Third Quarter: Pitts opened the Gophers' scoring in the second half with a three-point play. A Bell three-point play late in the quarter pushed Minnesota's advantage a game-high 20 points at 60-40 before a few Boston College 3-pointers.
Fourth Quarter: The Gophers did not let the Eagles get closer than 10 points. Pitts tacked on six points and four rebounds to her game totals during the final period.
MORE NOTES
*Bell has scored in double figures in the first half of three games this season.
*Bell's previous Minnesota career high was 24 points. Her overall career high was 25 points in a game for Marquette her freshman season.
*Pitts made her first collegiate start.
*The Gophers have had fewer turnovers than their opponents in all four games so far this year.
*Minnesota has outrebounded its past three opponents.
UP NEXT
The Gophers' final November home game will be Wednesday, Nov. 22 against Xavier. The 8 p.m. contest will be televised on BTN. After facing the Musketeers, Minnesota will travel to the Lady Rebel Round-Up (Nov. 25-26) and to North Carolina for the Big Ten/ACC Challenge (Nov. 29).
LOVE YOUR MELON PACKAGE AND CUB FAMILY 4 PACKS ON SALE
Minnesota's next home game, against Eastern Michigan on Dec. 3, is one of two this season with a Love Your Melon deal available. For $25, fans will receive a ticket and a voucher to be redeemed at the game for a Gophers-branded Love Your Melon beanie. Click here to purchase.
The Eastern Michigan game is also one of the options for a Cub Family 4 Pack. The $55 price includes four tickets, four hot dogs, four small popcorns, four soft drinks and $5 off $50 at Cub Foods. Click here to purchase.
EARLY BIRD BLACK FRIDAY DEALS
A women's basketball VIP package and discounted single-game tickets are available as part of the Gophers' Early Bird Black Friday Sale. Click here for options.
