University of Minnesota Athletics
Game Preview: Gophers vs. UC Riverside
12/21/2017 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Dec. 21, 2017
The University of Minnesota women's basketball team (10-2) will host its final non-conference game of the season Friday, Dec. 22 at 1 p.m. against UC Riverside.
Here are five things to know before tipoff:
1. Carlie Wagner and Kenisha Bell have been the Gophers' top two scorers for two seasons in a row.
Bell, on the watch list for the Citizen Naismith Trophy (top player) and Nancy Lieberman Award (top point guard), leads the team with averages of 20.0 points and 6.0 assists per game, which ranks 12th in the nation and first in the B1G. She has scored 85 points over the span of the Gophers last four games. Wagner, a Preseason All-Big Ten honoree, scored 23 points on 8-of17 shooting, 5-of-11 from behind the arc against Cal Poly. She is averaging 18.4 points per game, and is currently seventh on Minnesota's career scoring list (1,818) and second on the 3-point list (238).
2. Minnesota's scoring average of 86.5 points per game ranks third in the Big Ten and 11th in the nation. The Gophers' scoring margin (+17.7) is fourth in the conference and there rebounding total is second (45.6). They commit the second-fewest turnovers per game (12.8), ranking 24th nationally.
3. The Gophers are 6-0 at Williams Arena this season entering Friday's game. They are 45-10 at home during head coach Marlene Stollings' tenure. Minnesota's 7-0 start overall this season was the third best in program history.
4. Taiye Bello notched her second career double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds in her first start of the season against Cal Poly. Recording seven offensive rebounds for the second consecutive game, she tied a career record. Destiny Pitts recorded dobule-figure points for the sixth time this season netting 23 against the Mustangs.
5. Minnesota calls the charity stripe and the three-point line home this season, ranking sixth nationally and first in the B1G in free-throws made (126). The Gophers' 75.3 free-throw percentage ranks 27th nationally and third in the B1G. From behind the arc, Minnesota is averaging 8.8 three-point field goals per game ranking second in the B1G and 11th in the nation. Besides scoring, the Gophers know all about distribution and ball protection. With a 1.32 assist-to-turnover ratio Minnesota ranks 24th in the nation and second in the conference.
Scouting the Highlanders
• UC Riverside is 3-9 on the season. The Highlanders have picked up wins over Fresno State, UNLV and CSU Bakersfield. They have competed against ranked opponents Stanford and UCLA. They average 60.8 points per game while allowing 72.5.
• Head coach John Margaritis is in his 13th season at Riverside and his 20th season overall. He has guided the Highlanders to six postseason appearances and his team's have averaged 15.4 wins per season. UC Riverside has won three Big West Tournament titles and two Big West regular season titles in his tenure.
• Senior guards Lauren Holt and Michelle Curry lead the way in scoring. Holt averages 12.6 points while Curry has played in 11 of 12 games and averages 13.7. Sophomore forward Skyler Lewis adds a team leading 8.1 rebounds and 9.0 points per game.
| Minnesota (10-2) vs. UC Riverside (3-9) | |
| Date / Time | Friday, Dec. 22 // 1 p.m. |
| Location | Williams Arena - Directions |
| Tickets | Click Here |
| Travel | Local Weather | Parking | Preferred Hotels |
| TV/Live Video | No TV // BTN Plus |
| Radio | 93.3 ALT FM // Listen Online // iHeart Radio App |
| Live Stats | |
| Live Updates | Game Day Live |
| Notes | Minnesota |
| Official Sites | Minnesota // UC Riverside |
| Social Media | @GopherWBB | Facebook | Instagram |
The University of Minnesota women's basketball team (10-2) will host its final non-conference game of the season Friday, Dec. 22 at 1 p.m. against UC Riverside.
Here are five things to know before tipoff:
1. Carlie Wagner and Kenisha Bell have been the Gophers' top two scorers for two seasons in a row.
Bell, on the watch list for the Citizen Naismith Trophy (top player) and Nancy Lieberman Award (top point guard), leads the team with averages of 20.0 points and 6.0 assists per game, which ranks 12th in the nation and first in the B1G. She has scored 85 points over the span of the Gophers last four games. Wagner, a Preseason All-Big Ten honoree, scored 23 points on 8-of17 shooting, 5-of-11 from behind the arc against Cal Poly. She is averaging 18.4 points per game, and is currently seventh on Minnesota's career scoring list (1,818) and second on the 3-point list (238).
2. Minnesota's scoring average of 86.5 points per game ranks third in the Big Ten and 11th in the nation. The Gophers' scoring margin (+17.7) is fourth in the conference and there rebounding total is second (45.6). They commit the second-fewest turnovers per game (12.8), ranking 24th nationally.
3. The Gophers are 6-0 at Williams Arena this season entering Friday's game. They are 45-10 at home during head coach Marlene Stollings' tenure. Minnesota's 7-0 start overall this season was the third best in program history.
4. Taiye Bello notched her second career double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds in her first start of the season against Cal Poly. Recording seven offensive rebounds for the second consecutive game, she tied a career record. Destiny Pitts recorded dobule-figure points for the sixth time this season netting 23 against the Mustangs.
5. Minnesota calls the charity stripe and the three-point line home this season, ranking sixth nationally and first in the B1G in free-throws made (126). The Gophers' 75.3 free-throw percentage ranks 27th nationally and third in the B1G. From behind the arc, Minnesota is averaging 8.8 three-point field goals per game ranking second in the B1G and 11th in the nation. Besides scoring, the Gophers know all about distribution and ball protection. With a 1.32 assist-to-turnover ratio Minnesota ranks 24th in the nation and second in the conference.
Scouting the Highlanders
• UC Riverside is 3-9 on the season. The Highlanders have picked up wins over Fresno State, UNLV and CSU Bakersfield. They have competed against ranked opponents Stanford and UCLA. They average 60.8 points per game while allowing 72.5.
• Head coach John Margaritis is in his 13th season at Riverside and his 20th season overall. He has guided the Highlanders to six postseason appearances and his team's have averaged 15.4 wins per season. UC Riverside has won three Big West Tournament titles and two Big West regular season titles in his tenure.
• Senior guards Lauren Holt and Michelle Curry lead the way in scoring. Holt averages 12.6 points while Curry has played in 11 of 12 games and averages 13.7. Sophomore forward Skyler Lewis adds a team leading 8.1 rebounds and 9.0 points per game.
Players Mentioned
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