University of Minnesota Athletics
Sunday, January 20
Lincoln, Neb.
5:00 PM
University of Minnesota
at
Nebraska
Players Mentioned
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/ Women's Basketball
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Minnesota Travels to Face Nebraska Sunday on ESPN2
1/19/2019 3:47:00 PM | Women's Basketball
MINNEAPOLIS --Â No. 23/25 (AP/Coaches) Minnesota (13-4, 2-4 B1G) wraps up a stretch of three games in three different cities over a six-day span when it visits Nebraska (8-9, 3-3) Sunday night.
The game will be shown to a national TV audience on ESPN2 and can also be heard on the Gophers' radio home, 96.7 FM KFAN Plus.
THE OPENING TIP-OFF
SERIES HISTORY WITH NEBRASKA
LAST MEETING AGAINST THE HUSKERS
LAST TIME AT NEBRASKA
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• Though she didn't have a double-double against Arkansas-Pine Bluff, she did have a career-high 19 rebounds, which were the most by a Gopher since Zahui B. had 22 against DePaul in the NCAA Tournament on March 20, 2015.
• Arguably Bello's best performance came against No. 12 Syracuse when she went for 20 points and grabbed 18 rebounds, including 10 offensive.
• At Michigan, she made all nine attempts from the floor for a career-high 24 points. She became one of five players in Gophers history to not miss when attempting at least that many shots.
• She also had her first B1G double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds against Iowa.
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DEFENSE IMPROVES FROM LAST SEASON
The game will be shown to a national TV audience on ESPN2 and can also be heard on the Gophers' radio home, 96.7 FM KFAN Plus.
THE OPENING TIP-OFF
• Minnesota enters Sunday's game ranked No. 23 in the AP Poll. It's the second time this season the Gophers have had that ranking, also coming in 23rd on Nov. 19. The Gophers are 6-3 all-time as the No. 23 team, including wins over Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Cornell and Wisconsin and a loss to Iowa this season. Sunday will be just the second time that the Gophers face the Huskers while ranked in the AP Poll. Minnesota was No. 10 when they beat Nebraska in Dec. of 2005. The Golden Gophers are also No. 25 in the most recent Coaches Poll, the sixth straight week they have appeared in the poll.
• The Gophers are 3-2 in road games this season. They won both their non-conference matchups, winning at Xavier in the second game of the season on Nov. 14 and at Boston College on Dec. 9. Within conference play, Minnesota has dropped contests at Michigan on Dec. 31 and Michigan State on Jan. 9, but defeated Wisconsin Thursday night in Madison. Senior Kenisha Bell leads the Gophers with a 16.6 scoring average in road games this year.
• Few teams in the country get to the free throw line more than Minnesota. Through Thursday's games, the Golden Gophers ranked third in the NCAA behind only Arkansas State (452) and Mississippi State (422) with 420 attempts, while their 286 makes rank fifth nationally behind Mississippi State (311), Notre Dame (303), Indiana (298) and Western Illinois (291). Kenisha Bell has been the most prolific free throw shooter for Minnesota, ranking fifth nationally in both attempts (135) and makes (93). Additionally, Annalese Lamke ranks sixth in the Big Ten in free throw percentage (78.1) and ninth in free throws made (57), while Destiny Pitts is 10th in the conference in free throw percentage (77.2).Â
• Kenisha Bell cemented her name in the Minnesota record books Thursday night at Wisconsin as she moved into the school's Top 10 for career scoring. Needing seven points to tie Emily Fox (1,449), Bell poured in 25 points to take sole possession of 10th place with 1,467 for her Gophers career. Bell spent her freshman season at Marquette and then sat out the 2015-16 season due to transfer rules, meaning she has cracked Minnesota's top 10 in roughly 2.5 seasons. Including her freshman year at Marquette, she now has 1,901 career points.
• The Gophers are 3-2 in road games this season. They won both their non-conference matchups, winning at Xavier in the second game of the season on Nov. 14 and at Boston College on Dec. 9. Within conference play, Minnesota has dropped contests at Michigan on Dec. 31 and Michigan State on Jan. 9, but defeated Wisconsin Thursday night in Madison. Senior Kenisha Bell leads the Gophers with a 16.6 scoring average in road games this year.
• Few teams in the country get to the free throw line more than Minnesota. Through Thursday's games, the Golden Gophers ranked third in the NCAA behind only Arkansas State (452) and Mississippi State (422) with 420 attempts, while their 286 makes rank fifth nationally behind Mississippi State (311), Notre Dame (303), Indiana (298) and Western Illinois (291). Kenisha Bell has been the most prolific free throw shooter for Minnesota, ranking fifth nationally in both attempts (135) and makes (93). Additionally, Annalese Lamke ranks sixth in the Big Ten in free throw percentage (78.1) and ninth in free throws made (57), while Destiny Pitts is 10th in the conference in free throw percentage (77.2).Â
• Kenisha Bell cemented her name in the Minnesota record books Thursday night at Wisconsin as she moved into the school's Top 10 for career scoring. Needing seven points to tie Emily Fox (1,449), Bell poured in 25 points to take sole possession of 10th place with 1,467 for her Gophers career. Bell spent her freshman season at Marquette and then sat out the 2015-16 season due to transfer rules, meaning she has cracked Minnesota's top 10 in roughly 2.5 seasons. Including her freshman year at Marquette, she now has 1,901 career points.
SERIES HISTORY WITH NEBRASKA
• Minnesota and Nebraska meet for the 22nd time on Sunday. The Huskers hold a 12-9 edge in the series, though the Gophers have won two of the past three.
• Since Nebraska joined the Big Ten prior to the 2011-12 season, it holds a 7-4 lead over Minnesota.
• In Lincoln, the Huskers have won nine of the 12 meetings between the schools, though the Gophers did win last time the teams played there.
• Nebraska has two Minnesotans on its roster: Sam Haiby from Moorhead (Moorhead HS) and Kayla Mershon from Chanhassen (Minnetonka HS).
• Since Nebraska joined the Big Ten prior to the 2011-12 season, it holds a 7-4 lead over Minnesota.
• In Lincoln, the Huskers have won nine of the 12 meetings between the schools, though the Gophers did win last time the teams played there.
• Nebraska has two Minnesotans on its roster: Sam Haiby from Moorhead (Moorhead HS) and Kayla Mershon from Chanhassen (Minnetonka HS).
LAST MEETING AGAINST THE HUSKERS
• Despite 30 points from Kenisha Bell, Minnesota fell 79-74 to Nebraska when the teams last met on Dec. 31, 2017, in Minneapolis.
• Gadiva Hubbard also had a strong game, scoring 15 points to go with eight assists, while Destiny Pitts and Carlie Wagner each had 11 points.
• Minnesota led by five after the first quarter, by three at halftime and by two through the third quarter.
• The Gophers maintained the lead until the Huskers tied the game at 64 with six minutes left. Bell knotted it back up shortly after but Nebraska scored five straight points to go up 71-66.Â
• After forcing a Nebraska shot clock violation with two minutes left, Wagner hit a jumper to cut the deficit to one. Bell then came through with a huge steal and basket to give the Gophers a 74-73 lead with 38 seconds left. Nebraska was able to score, however, and forced two missed threes down the stretch to seal the win.
• Gadiva Hubbard also had a strong game, scoring 15 points to go with eight assists, while Destiny Pitts and Carlie Wagner each had 11 points.
• Minnesota led by five after the first quarter, by three at halftime and by two through the third quarter.
• The Gophers maintained the lead until the Huskers tied the game at 64 with six minutes left. Bell knotted it back up shortly after but Nebraska scored five straight points to go up 71-66.Â
• After forcing a Nebraska shot clock violation with two minutes left, Wagner hit a jumper to cut the deficit to one. Bell then came through with a huge steal and basket to give the Gophers a 74-73 lead with 38 seconds left. Nebraska was able to score, however, and forced two missed threes down the stretch to seal the win.
LAST TIME AT NEBRASKA
• It took overtime but Minnesota prevailed, 79-69, when the teams last met in Lincoln on Feb. 4, 2017.
• Carlie Wagner scored 28 points, including four 3-pointers and key baskets late, to secure the win.
• Kenisha Bell scored 13 points and Jessie Edwards added 12. Whitney Tinjum had nine rebounds and Wagner and Edwards had eight each.
• Minnesota led by 11 at one point in the second quarter before the Cornhuskers trimmed the lead to one at halftime. Neither team held a double-digit advantage for the rest of regulation.
• Wagner drove and scored twice late in the fourth quarter, but Jessica Shepard responded with baskets of her own both times. Minnesota's sideline inbounds pass with 1.9 seconds left went out of bounds, and Nebraska called timeout to advance the ball with 1.2 seconds left. The Huskers' last shot missed.
• The Gophers controlled the overtime period and never trailed in the extra session, while Nebraska shot 1-for-12 in overtime. A Joanna Hedstrom 3-pointer for an eight-point lead at the 1:08 mark helped put the game away.
• Carlie Wagner scored 28 points, including four 3-pointers and key baskets late, to secure the win.
• Kenisha Bell scored 13 points and Jessie Edwards added 12. Whitney Tinjum had nine rebounds and Wagner and Edwards had eight each.
• Minnesota led by 11 at one point in the second quarter before the Cornhuskers trimmed the lead to one at halftime. Neither team held a double-digit advantage for the rest of regulation.
• Wagner drove and scored twice late in the fourth quarter, but Jessica Shepard responded with baskets of her own both times. Minnesota's sideline inbounds pass with 1.9 seconds left went out of bounds, and Nebraska called timeout to advance the ball with 1.2 seconds left. The Huskers' last shot missed.
• The Gophers controlled the overtime period and never trailed in the extra session, while Nebraska shot 1-for-12 in overtime. A Joanna Hedstrom 3-pointer for an eight-point lead at the 1:08 mark helped put the game away.
RECAPPING THE WIN AT WISCONSIN
• Kenisha Bell posted her third double-double of the season, and two other Gophers nearly joined her with double-doubles of their own, as Minnesota defeated Wisconsin, 78-50, Thursday night in Madison, Wis.Â
• Bell led all scorers with 25 points and tied a career high with 10 assists, her fifth time reaching double digit assists in her carer. She was an efficient 8-of-14 from the floor and 8-of-10 at the free throw line.
• Playing in her home state for what could be the final time in her career, senior Annalese Lamke nearly notched the first double-double of her career. with 15 points and nine rebounds.
• Taiye Bello was the third Gopher to reach double figures as she scored 14 points with nine rebounds.
• The Gophers never trailed, scoring the first five points of the contest and opening on an 11-2 run. They led 17-10 after the first quarter and then outscored the Badgers 18-7 in the second quarter to lead 35-17 at the half. It was the lowest scoring half by an opponent since Incarnate Word was held to 11 points in the first half on Dec. 5.
• Wisconsin never got closer than 16 points in the second half, while the Gophers' biggest lead came on a 3-pointer by Mercedes Staples that put them up 74-41 with 3:42 left in the third quarter.
• Bell led all scorers with 25 points and tied a career high with 10 assists, her fifth time reaching double digit assists in her carer. She was an efficient 8-of-14 from the floor and 8-of-10 at the free throw line.
• Playing in her home state for what could be the final time in her career, senior Annalese Lamke nearly notched the first double-double of her career. with 15 points and nine rebounds.
• Taiye Bello was the third Gopher to reach double figures as she scored 14 points with nine rebounds.
• The Gophers never trailed, scoring the first five points of the contest and opening on an 11-2 run. They led 17-10 after the first quarter and then outscored the Badgers 18-7 in the second quarter to lead 35-17 at the half. It was the lowest scoring half by an opponent since Incarnate Word was held to 11 points in the first half on Dec. 5.
• Wisconsin never got closer than 16 points in the second half, while the Gophers' biggest lead came on a 3-pointer by Mercedes Staples that put them up 74-41 with 3:42 left in the third quarter.
GOPHERS GAINING EXPERIENCE IN NEW ROLES
• Even though two-thirds of Minnesota's roster consists of upperclassmen, the Gophers actually have the fewest combined career minutes of any roster in the Big Ten, according to research initially done by Nebraska's Communications office.Â
• Through Jan. 17, the Gophers' roster had played a combined 9,641 minutes. Sunday's opponent, Nebraska, was the next closest team at 10,022 combined minutes. For further comparison, Rutgers was leading the Big Ten with 16,186 combined minutes.
• Not only is the team playing under a new coaching staff, all five members of the starting lineup are playing in different positions than they did a year ago. Among returning starters, Kenisha Bell has gone from the 1 to the 2, while Destiny Pitts moved from the 4 to the 3.Â
• Meanwhile, Jasmine Brunson (the 1), Taiye Bello (4) and Annalese Lamke (5) are all starting this season after primarily coming off the bench a year ago. As a result, all three have seen significant increases in minutes per game. Lamke leads the team with an increase of 21.3 minutes per game from last year, while Brunson (+19.8) and Bello (+12.9) rank second and third.
• Through Jan. 17, the Gophers' roster had played a combined 9,641 minutes. Sunday's opponent, Nebraska, was the next closest team at 10,022 combined minutes. For further comparison, Rutgers was leading the Big Ten with 16,186 combined minutes.
• Not only is the team playing under a new coaching staff, all five members of the starting lineup are playing in different positions than they did a year ago. Among returning starters, Kenisha Bell has gone from the 1 to the 2, while Destiny Pitts moved from the 4 to the 3.Â
• Meanwhile, Jasmine Brunson (the 1), Taiye Bello (4) and Annalese Lamke (5) are all starting this season after primarily coming off the bench a year ago. As a result, all three have seen significant increases in minutes per game. Lamke leads the team with an increase of 21.3 minutes per game from last year, while Brunson (+19.8) and Bello (+12.9) rank second and third.
BELLO DOMINATING THE GLASS
• Through Thursday, Taiye Bello was third in the country in offensive rebounds per game (5), sixth in total rebounds (196) and ninth in rebounds per game (12.1). She was also 30th nationally in defensive rebounds per game (7) and 34th in double-doubles (7).
• Along with Mississippi State's Teaira McCowan, Bello is one of two players in the country to have four games this year with at least 18 rebound
• Bello is also currently the most improved rebounder in the Big Ten, upping her rebounds per game total from 6.3 last year to 12.1 this year. The +5.8 difference has her tops in the B1G, ahead of teammate Annalese Lamke who has gone from 0.7 to 6.0 per game (+5.3).
• Bello posted double-doubles in the first three games this season, becoming the first Minnesota player to have three straight double-doubles since Amanda Zahui B. ended the 2014-15 season with four in a row. Bello has 11 in her career, and Minnesota is 10-1 in those games.
• Along with Mississippi State's Teaira McCowan, Bello is one of two players in the country to have four games this year with at least 18 rebound
• Bello is also currently the most improved rebounder in the Big Ten, upping her rebounds per game total from 6.3 last year to 12.1 this year. The +5.8 difference has her tops in the B1G, ahead of teammate Annalese Lamke who has gone from 0.7 to 6.0 per game (+5.3).
• Bello posted double-doubles in the first three games this season, becoming the first Minnesota player to have three straight double-doubles since Amanda Zahui B. ended the 2014-15 season with four in a row. Bello has 11 in her career, and Minnesota is 10-1 in those games.
• Though she didn't have a double-double against Arkansas-Pine Bluff, she did have a career-high 19 rebounds, which were the most by a Gopher since Zahui B. had 22 against DePaul in the NCAA Tournament on March 20, 2015.
• Arguably Bello's best performance came against No. 12 Syracuse when she went for 20 points and grabbed 18 rebounds, including 10 offensive.
• At Michigan, she made all nine attempts from the floor for a career-high 24 points. She became one of five players in Gophers history to not miss when attempting at least that many shots.
• She also had her first B1G double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds against Iowa.
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BELL STRONG IN SENIOR SEASON
• Senior Kenisha Bell leads the Gophers in several categories, including points per game (19.1), assists per game (4.5) and steals per game (2.18).
• Nationally, Bell is one of the best at getting to the free throw line, ranking fifth in both attempts (135) and makes (93).
• She leads the Big Ten in steals (37), steals per game and free throw attempts, is second in field goals attempted (271) and free throws made, and ranks third in in scoring average and made field goals (112).
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• Nationally, Bell is one of the best at getting to the free throw line, ranking fifth in both attempts (135) and makes (93).
• She leads the Big Ten in steals (37), steals per game and free throw attempts, is second in field goals attempted (271) and free throws made, and ranks third in in scoring average and made field goals (112).
LAMKE MAKING THE MOST OF HER SENIOR YEAR
• Annalese Lamke is making the most of her senior season. She has more recorded more points, field goals made and attempted, free throws made and attempted, rebounds and minutes this season alone than in her first three seasons combined.
• Excluding transfers and freshmen, no player among the Big Ten's top 30 scorers has seen their scoring average increase has much from last year to this as Lamke. Her +10.3 improvement from 1.1 points per game last year to 11.4 this year is nearly double of Iowa's Hannah Stewart, who ranks second at +5.6.
• Lamke is also currently the second-most improved rebounder in the conference, jumping from 0.7 per game last year to 6.0 this year, for a difference of +5.3.
• Lamke exploded for a career-high 21 in the Gophers' season-opening win over New Hampshire. She scored 17 points alone in the second half and recorded an efficient 9-of-12 shooting.
• Against No. 12 Syracuse on Nov. 29, she had a career-high 13 rebounds and nine rebounds. Lamke also had a 20-point outing against Wisconsin on Dec. 28 and scored 18 points (all in the first half) against Illinois on Jan. 6.
• Playing in her home state, she nearly had the first double-double of her career at Wisconsin on Jan. 17, posting 14 points and nine rebounds.
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• Excluding transfers and freshmen, no player among the Big Ten's top 30 scorers has seen their scoring average increase has much from last year to this as Lamke. Her +10.3 improvement from 1.1 points per game last year to 11.4 this year is nearly double of Iowa's Hannah Stewart, who ranks second at +5.6.
• Lamke is also currently the second-most improved rebounder in the conference, jumping from 0.7 per game last year to 6.0 this year, for a difference of +5.3.
• Lamke exploded for a career-high 21 in the Gophers' season-opening win over New Hampshire. She scored 17 points alone in the second half and recorded an efficient 9-of-12 shooting.
• Against No. 12 Syracuse on Nov. 29, she had a career-high 13 rebounds and nine rebounds. Lamke also had a 20-point outing against Wisconsin on Dec. 28 and scored 18 points (all in the first half) against Illinois on Jan. 6.
• Playing in her home state, she nearly had the first double-double of her career at Wisconsin on Jan. 17, posting 14 points and nine rebounds.
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BRUNSON STEPPING UP IN CONFERENCE PLAY
• Junior Jasmine Brunson has elevated her game since conference play started.
• Her scoring average has gone up from 7.7 points per game in non-conference action to 8.5 in B1G play, while her shooting percentages have all increased: field goal percentage from .357 to .432, 3-point percentage from .286 to .438 and free throw percentage from .660 to .667.
• Her scoring average has gone up from 7.7 points per game in non-conference action to 8.5 in B1G play, while her shooting percentages have all increased: field goal percentage from .357 to .432, 3-point percentage from .286 to .438 and free throw percentage from .660 to .667.
DEFENSE IMPROVES FROM LAST SEASON
• Through Thursday, the Golden Gophers ranked third in the Big Ten and 69th in the country (out of 349) in scoring defense by allowing 58.8 points per game. For comparison, last season Minnesota finished the year ranked 335th and allowed 74.8 points per game.
• Additionally, the Gophers are 26th in the country in rebound margin (8.2), 31st in rebounds per game (42.65) and 38th in fewest fouls commited per game (14.7).
• Advanced metrics, via HerHoopStats.com, also show how strong the Gopher defense has been compared to recent history. Minnesota is 30th in the nation in opponent points per scoring attempt (shots+FT trips) at 0.88, 31st in opponent points per play (shots+/FT trips+turnover) at 0.70, and 35th in opponent points per 100 possessions (82.0).
• Additionally, the Gophers are 26th in the country in rebound margin (8.2), 31st in rebounds per game (42.65) and 38th in fewest fouls commited per game (14.7).
• Advanced metrics, via HerHoopStats.com, also show how strong the Gopher defense has been compared to recent history. Minnesota is 30th in the nation in opponent points per scoring attempt (shots+FT trips) at 0.88, 31st in opponent points per play (shots+/FT trips+turnover) at 0.70, and 35th in opponent points per 100 possessions (82.0).
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