University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
13-4, 2-2Big Te
Michigan State
12-5, 2-2Big Te
Gophers Hold off Michigan State for B1G Win
1/7/2018 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Jan. 7, 2018
Gophers Host Wisconsin on Thursday, January 18
Nine different Gophers scored as Minnesota pulled out a close Big Ten victory over Michigan State at Williams Arena this afternoon.
The Gophers spread the around ball around all game long. Eight Gophers scored in the first half alone and three broke double-digits on the afternoon.
Kenisha Bell led the team with 20 points, eight assists, seven rebounds and five steals. In her second start of the season, Bryanna Fernstrom scored 14 points and recorded seven rebounds. Senior Carlie Wagner put the team on her back with a big fourth quarter and finished with 15 points.
The Gophers capitalized off numerous Spartan turnovers with 29 points off of Michigan State's 23 turnovers. Minnesota also saw strong play in the paint, scoring 40 points with strong nights from Fernstrom, Jessie Edwards and Taiye Bello.
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Quarter: Fernstrom scored four points early on in the game to get into a groove. The Gophers and Spartans kept it close through the first quarter, tying and exchanging the lead multiple times. At the end of the quarter, Michigan State led 23-20.
Second Quarter: The Gophers were strong in the second, with Destiny Pitts hitting her first three of the day early in the quarter. Edwards and Fernstrom but put in work below the basket, scoring a combined six points in the quarter. The Gophers went on an 11-0 run in the middle of the quarter, aided by a string of Michigan State penalties and turnovers (13 TOs in the first half). Pitts led the Gophers in scoring with 5 points in the second and Minnesota ended the half up 41-36.
Third Quarter: Fernstrom hit a basket and became the first player to break double-digits for the home team with Bell following right after. Near the end of the quarter, both Fernstrom and Pitts hit three pointers. Bell was the leading scorer, with 10 points in the quarter. The Gophers led 65-59 at the end of the quarter.
Fourth Quarter: Wagner dominated the fourth quarter, making big play after big play for the Maroon and Gold. She opened the quarter by making a basket and hitting a free throw to score three the old fashioned way. Soon after, Hubbard hit a big three points, thanks to an offensive rebound by Fernstrom. Wagner continued her dominance with two more free throws and another basket, breaking into double-digits. She later hit two more free throws and went to the line 10 total times in the quarter. She led Minnesota in scoring through the fourth with nine points. With just 22 seconds left to go, Bell drove hard into the paint and put the cherry on top to push the lead to five.
MORE NOTES
• Nine different Gophers scored in the game including eight in the first half.
• Bell had a season-high five steals. Her career high is eight, set during her year at Marquette.
• This is the 11th game this season that Bell has broken 20 points.
• This game marked Fernstrom's second consecutive start this season. It was also her third game breaking double-digits this season. Her season high was 17 points vs. Eastern Michigan.
• The Gophers improve to 13-4 overall and 2-2 in the Big Ten.
UP NEXT
The Gophers will play at Penn State on Wednesday. The game will tipoff at 6 p.m. CT.
