University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
16-10,B1G 6-7
Michigan State
15-12,B1G 6-8
Gophers Fall 85-69 at Michigan State
2/16/2017 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
After a strong first half, Minnesota fell 85-69 at Michigan State on Thursday night. Before halftime, the Gophers (14-13, 5-9 Big Ten) dominated the boards and shot 14-from-18 from the free throw line. But they could not overcome the Spartans' (17-9, 7-6 Big Ten) 52.4-percent shooting overall.
Jessie Edwards had 14 points and six rebounds for the Gophers. She was 6-for-7 from the free throw line. Carlie Wagner scored 13. She and Whitney Tinjum had a team-high eight rebounds as Minnesota edged Michigan State 39-37 on the boards. The Gophers were 24-for-32 shooting free throws.
Branndais Agee scored 30 points and Tori Jankoska 24 for Michigan State. Each made six 3-pointers and the Spartans made 13 of 30 attempts as a team. Minnesota made just three triples and shot 33.9 percent from the field.
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Quarter: The Gophers played aggressively early, and converted the Spartans' fouls into a 7-of-8 quarter at the free throw line. At the end of the quarter, the Gophers ran down the clock and then Kenisha Bell banked in a jumper from inside the free throw line to give Minnesota a 20-19 edge.
Second Quarter: Minnesota held Michigan State without a field goal for the first four-plus minutes of the second. The Gophers built a 35-27 lead, again making seven free throws in a quarter. Edwards scored six points in the second, including a 4-for-4 performance at the line. But the Spartans ended the half on a 10-0 run in the last 2:12, taking advantage of Minnesota turnovers for a 37-35 lead. The Gophers outrebounded the Spartans 25-15 in the first half. Michigan State's 3-point shooting (5-of-13 compared to the Gophers' 1-of-6) helped give the home team the edge.
Third Quarter: Michigan State jumped to a 48-37 lead in the first few minutes of the second half. The Spartans led 52-40 at the 5:56 mark. The Gophers cut that lead in half to trail 61-55 at the end of the third despite 66.7-percent shooting from the Spartans in the quarter. Gadiva Hubbard had a three-point play and two additional free throws, and Wagner went 4-for-4 at the line late in the third.
Fourth Quarter: After Bell made one of two free throws, the Spartans pushed their lead back to 10. After Edwards scored in the post to cut it to eight, Michigan State scored again and continued to expand the lead.
MORE NOTES
*Thursday's night's game was Edwards' highest-scoring in Big Ten play this season. Her previous high was 12 at Nebraska.
*Minnesota has outrebounded its last three opponents. It has also attempted at least 32 free throws in the last three games.
*Hubbard tied her career high with five steals. Bell added three of the Gophers' 10.
COMING UP NEXT
Minnesota will honor its seniors as it hosts Purdue next Thursday, Feb. 23. The 8 p.m. game will be televised on BTN.
