University of Minnesota Athletics
Saturday, December 28
University Park, Pa.
3:00 PM
University of Minnesota
at
Penn State
Players Mentioned
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/ Women's Basketball
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Photo by: Kristin Ostrowski
Big Ten Action Starts Saturday at Penn State
12/27/2019 9:14:00 AM | Women's Basketball
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. --Â Winners of 10 straight, RV/RV Minnesota (10-1) opens conference play Saturday afternoon at Penn State (6-5). The game, which starts at 3 p.m. CT, can be seen on BTN Plus and heard on the Gophers' radio home, 96.7 KFAN Plus.
THE OPENING TIP-OFF
THE OPENING TIP-OFF
• After falling in the season opener to a Missouri State team that currently ranks 21st in the AP Poll, Minnesota has rattled off 10 straight wins. That's tied for the sixth longest win streak in program history and the longest since the team opened last season with 12 straight victories. Nationally, the Gophers are tied for the seventh longest active win streak. Only Arizona (17), Florida State (12), UCLA (11), Colorado (11), N.C. State (11) and Oregon State (11) are on longer win streaks.
• Minnesota finished the non-conference with a 10-1 record, marking the third straight year that the Gophers had have won at least 10 non-conference games during the regular season and the 10th time overall in program history. A .909 win percentage out of conference ties for the fifth best in team annals. Last year Minnesota went 11-0 during non-conference regular season games, making Lindsay Whalen 21-1 in such games in her career.
• The team's 10-1 record is the fifth best one-loss start in program annals. Minnesota started 15-1 in both 2002-03 and 2003-04, while in 2014-15 it began the year 14-1. A year ago, the Gophers started the season 12-1. The Gophers' 9-1 record through 10 games was the fourth best in team history. They also started 9-1 in 2014-15 and 2017-18, while the only 10-0 beginnings came in 2002-03, 2003-04 and last season.
• Minnesota is 15-22 all-time in Big Ten openers, including two straight wins, and 11-25 in conference road openers. This season will be the fourth time that Minnesota opens league action against Penn State. The other times came in 1999-00, 2000-01 and 2008-09. The Lady Lions won those first two contests, while the Gophers prevailed in the most recent matchup.
• For the second straight season, Minnesota enters league play tied for first place. A year ago both the Gophers and Maryland started 11-0. This season, Minnesota, which was picked fifth by the media in the preseason rankings, is tied with Nebraska, Northwestern and Rutgers at 10-1.
• Senior Taiye Bello has posted double-doubles in six of the team's 11 games this year, including a stretch of four straight at one point. Her six double-doubles lead the Big Ten and are 12th nationally. In her career, Bello has 21 double-doubles to rank sixth in Gophers history, and the Gophers are 19-2 in those games. She is just one of 28 players in the country, and only one of two from the Big Ten, to be averaging a double-double. Even better, she's one of just 22 players nationally with her averages of 13.4 points and 10.1 rebounds per game this year.
FACING PENN STATE
FRESHMAN POWELL, SCALIA MAKING INSTANT IMPACT
• Minnesota has six freshmen on its 2019-20 roster and some are already making significant contributions.Â
• Sara Scalia, who has started every contest this year except for the season opener, leads the team in free throw percentage (.909), is second in field goal percentage (.467), minutes per game (29.0) and steals (20), is third in 3-point percentage (.405) and rebounding (3.9) and ranks fourth in scoring (10.3).
• Against Bryant on Nov. 26, she scored a 20 points and tied a career high with seven rebounds en route to being named B1G Freshman of the Week. She later followed that up at George Washington on Dec. 10 when she set or tied multiple career highs, including points (23), rebounds (7), steals (4) and blocks (2).
• Jasmine Powell, who has come off the bench in all 11 games, is fifth on the team in scoring at 9.9 points per game and has a 2.16-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio, which ranks sixth in the Big Ten. She's also 33-of-42 (.786) at the line to rank second on the team in free throws made and attempted and seventh in the conference in percentage.
• Powell put up 19 points against Vermont on Nov. 10, the most by a non-starter at Minnesota since teammate Destiny Pitts had 20 on Nov. 16, 2017, and has scored in double figures in four games this year.
• With Scalia averaging 10.3 points per game and Powell at 9.9, the Gophers' duo is showing the makings of one of the top freshman scoring combinations in recent program history. In the last 25 years, the only other season in which more than one freshman averaged at least 9.9 points per game came in 2000-01 when current head coach Lindsay Whalen (17.0) and Tanisha Gilbert (14.7) did it.
• Additionally, the four freshmen that have played this year, including Klarke Sconiers (3.7 ppg) and Barbora Tomancova (0.8), have combined for 24.7 points per game, the highest figure among Gopher freshmen in the last 13 years and third largest in the last 25 years.
IN THE POLLS
• Minnesota finished the non-conference with a 10-1 record, marking the third straight year that the Gophers had have won at least 10 non-conference games during the regular season and the 10th time overall in program history. A .909 win percentage out of conference ties for the fifth best in team annals. Last year Minnesota went 11-0 during non-conference regular season games, making Lindsay Whalen 21-1 in such games in her career.
• The team's 10-1 record is the fifth best one-loss start in program annals. Minnesota started 15-1 in both 2002-03 and 2003-04, while in 2014-15 it began the year 14-1. A year ago, the Gophers started the season 12-1. The Gophers' 9-1 record through 10 games was the fourth best in team history. They also started 9-1 in 2014-15 and 2017-18, while the only 10-0 beginnings came in 2002-03, 2003-04 and last season.
• Minnesota is 15-22 all-time in Big Ten openers, including two straight wins, and 11-25 in conference road openers. This season will be the fourth time that Minnesota opens league action against Penn State. The other times came in 1999-00, 2000-01 and 2008-09. The Lady Lions won those first two contests, while the Gophers prevailed in the most recent matchup.
• For the second straight season, Minnesota enters league play tied for first place. A year ago both the Gophers and Maryland started 11-0. This season, Minnesota, which was picked fifth by the media in the preseason rankings, is tied with Nebraska, Northwestern and Rutgers at 10-1.
• Senior Taiye Bello has posted double-doubles in six of the team's 11 games this year, including a stretch of four straight at one point. Her six double-doubles lead the Big Ten and are 12th nationally. In her career, Bello has 21 double-doubles to rank sixth in Gophers history, and the Gophers are 19-2 in those games. She is just one of 28 players in the country, and only one of two from the Big Ten, to be averaging a double-double. Even better, she's one of just 22 players nationally with her averages of 13.4 points and 10.1 rebounds per game this year.
FACING PENN STATE
• Minnesota and Penn State meet for the 48th time on Saturday. The Lady Lions hold a 28-19 edge in the series, but the Gophers have won four straight and seven of the past eight matchups.
• In University Park, Penn State leads the series 17-5, but the Gophers have won two of the last three meetings at Bryce Jordan Center.
• During the current four-game win streak, which is tied for the seventh longest active streak for the Gophers against one team, Minnesota is winning by average margin of over 22 points (89.8-67.5). In addition, the Gophers have scored at least 91 points in each of the last three contests.
• Penn State is 6-5 under first-year head coach Carolyn Kieger, who spent the last five seasons at Marquette. The Lady Lions alternated wins and losses over the first six games of the year, then lost two straight before winning two in a row and then once again alternating a loss with a win in their last two contests.
• Three players are averaging double figures for Penn State, led by Kamaria McDaniel at 18.0 points per game, which ranks second in the Big Ten. She is also second in the league in field goal attempts (67) and third in field goals made (69) and free throws made and attempted (47-67).Â
• Siyeh Frazier (11.7) and Makenna Marisa (10.5) are also in double figures for the Lady Lions, while Frazier is the team's leading rebound at 6.8 boards per contest.Â
• As a team, Penn State leads the Big Ten in both free throws made and attempted (182-256).
LAST SEASON VS. PENN STATE
• In University Park, Penn State leads the series 17-5, but the Gophers have won two of the last three meetings at Bryce Jordan Center.
• During the current four-game win streak, which is tied for the seventh longest active streak for the Gophers against one team, Minnesota is winning by average margin of over 22 points (89.8-67.5). In addition, the Gophers have scored at least 91 points in each of the last three contests.
• Penn State is 6-5 under first-year head coach Carolyn Kieger, who spent the last five seasons at Marquette. The Lady Lions alternated wins and losses over the first six games of the year, then lost two straight before winning two in a row and then once again alternating a loss with a win in their last two contests.
• Three players are averaging double figures for Penn State, led by Kamaria McDaniel at 18.0 points per game, which ranks second in the Big Ten. She is also second in the league in field goal attempts (67) and third in field goals made (69) and free throws made and attempted (47-67).Â
• Siyeh Frazier (11.7) and Makenna Marisa (10.5) are also in double figures for the Lady Lions, while Frazier is the team's leading rebound at 6.8 boards per contest.Â
• As a team, Penn State leads the Big Ten in both free throws made and attempted (182-256).
LAST SEASON VS. PENN STATE
• All five starters scored at least 14 points as Minnesota crushed Penn State last season in Minneapolis, 97-67.
• Destiny Pitts led all scorers with 22 points and dished out a season-high six assists.
• Kenisha Bell scored 17 points to go with a game-high seven assists, while Jasmine Brunson also scored 17 to match a career high. Irene Garrido Perez set a career high with 16 points thanks to four 3-pointers.Â
• Taiye Bello recorded a double-double with 14 points and 13 rebounds. She was a perfect 7-of-7 from the floor, marking just the eighth performance in team history, and her second this year, with that many attempts without a miss.
• The Lady Lions actually opened the game on a 9-2 run, but Minnesota followed by scoring the next 16 points and 20 of the next 22 to take a 22-11 lead. The Golden Gophers finished the first quarter up 28-17.
• The Gophers didn't let up in the second quarter, starting the frame on a 9-0 run and outscoring the Lady Lions 31-17 in the quarter. The Gophers were red-hot from the field, making 12-of-15 shots in the quarter.
• Minnesota went into the locker room at halftime leading 59-34, marking the sixth-highest point total for one half in program history.
LAST TIME AT PENN STATE
• Destiny Pitts led all scorers with 22 points and dished out a season-high six assists.
• Kenisha Bell scored 17 points to go with a game-high seven assists, while Jasmine Brunson also scored 17 to match a career high. Irene Garrido Perez set a career high with 16 points thanks to four 3-pointers.Â
• Taiye Bello recorded a double-double with 14 points and 13 rebounds. She was a perfect 7-of-7 from the floor, marking just the eighth performance in team history, and her second this year, with that many attempts without a miss.
• The Lady Lions actually opened the game on a 9-2 run, but Minnesota followed by scoring the next 16 points and 20 of the next 22 to take a 22-11 lead. The Golden Gophers finished the first quarter up 28-17.
• The Gophers didn't let up in the second quarter, starting the frame on a 9-0 run and outscoring the Lady Lions 31-17 in the quarter. The Gophers were red-hot from the field, making 12-of-15 shots in the quarter.
• Minnesota went into the locker room at halftime leading 59-34, marking the sixth-highest point total for one half in program history.
LAST TIME AT PENN STATE
• The last time the teams met at the Bryce Jordan Center, Minnesota prevailed 91-71 on Jan. 10, 2018.
• The Gophers shot 57.6 percent from the field, including making 10-of-17 (58.8 percent) from 3-point range.
• Carlie Wagner scored 23 points to lead all scorers, and she was one of three Gophers in double figures along with Destiny Pitts (16) and Gadiva Hubbard (12).
• The Gophers started strong offensively and defensively as they scored the first eight points of the game and forced the Lady Lions into missing their first six shots from the floor.Â
• Minnesota used a 10-0 run early in the second quarter to extend its margin, which reached at least 19 points late in the first half. In the second half, Penn State never got within 15 points.
RECAPPING THE WIN OVER LEHIGH
• The Gophers shot 57.6 percent from the field, including making 10-of-17 (58.8 percent) from 3-point range.
• Carlie Wagner scored 23 points to lead all scorers, and she was one of three Gophers in double figures along with Destiny Pitts (16) and Gadiva Hubbard (12).
• The Gophers started strong offensively and defensively as they scored the first eight points of the game and forced the Lady Lions into missing their first six shots from the floor.Â
• Minnesota used a 10-0 run early in the second quarter to extend its margin, which reached at least 19 points late in the first half. In the second half, Penn State never got within 15 points.
RECAPPING THE WIN OVER LEHIGH
• Minnesota closed out its non-conference schedule and won its 10th straight game with a resounding 77-49 victory over Lehigh Saturday afternoon at Williams Arena.
• Four Gophers reached double figures against the Mountain Hawks with Destiny Pitts leading the way with a game-high 19 points. Pitts, who also had a game-high four 3-pointers, added four assists and three rebounds.
• Jasmine Powell and Sara Scalia each recorded their fifth double-figure game of the season. Ten of Powell's 14 points came in the first half, while her seven rebounds were one off a career high. Scalia, meanwhile, finished with 12 points and five rebounds.
• Masha Adashchyk matched Scalia with 12 points to surpass her previous career high of nine set against Bryant on Nov. 26. Adashchyk was 5-of-7 from the floor.Â
• Other notable performances included a game-high nine rebounds for Taiye Bello and six assists for Jasmine Brunson, which tied a career best. Brunson also matched season highs of five rebounds and three steals.
• The Gophers jumped on the Mountain Hawks early, opening the game on an 18-6 run. Lehigh never got closer than 10 the rest of the way and their 49 points were a season low for a Gophers' opponent. In addition, Lehigh's 19 made field goals and 12.5 percent shooting (2-16) on 3-pointers tied season lows for a Minnesota foe.
OFFENSE UP IN YEAR TWO UNDER WHALEN
• Four Gophers reached double figures against the Mountain Hawks with Destiny Pitts leading the way with a game-high 19 points. Pitts, who also had a game-high four 3-pointers, added four assists and three rebounds.
• Jasmine Powell and Sara Scalia each recorded their fifth double-figure game of the season. Ten of Powell's 14 points came in the first half, while her seven rebounds were one off a career high. Scalia, meanwhile, finished with 12 points and five rebounds.
• Masha Adashchyk matched Scalia with 12 points to surpass her previous career high of nine set against Bryant on Nov. 26. Adashchyk was 5-of-7 from the floor.Â
• Other notable performances included a game-high nine rebounds for Taiye Bello and six assists for Jasmine Brunson, which tied a career best. Brunson also matched season highs of five rebounds and three steals.
• The Gophers jumped on the Mountain Hawks early, opening the game on an 18-6 run. Lehigh never got closer than 10 the rest of the way and their 49 points were a season low for a Gophers' opponent. In addition, Lehigh's 19 made field goals and 12.5 percent shooting (2-16) on 3-pointers tied season lows for a Minnesota foe.
OFFENSE UP IN YEAR TWO UNDER WHALEN
• Through 11 games, the Minnesota offense has picked up its scoring and production in year two under head coach Lindsay Whalen.Â
• The Gophers are averaging 79.0 points per game this year, nearly five points better than the 74.2 points they were averaging at this same stage a season ago.Â
• Two areas where Minnesota has seen improvement are from 3-point range and at the free-throw line. The Gophers' field goal percentage on 3-pointers is nearly 70 points better than last year even though they have 76 more attempts this year.Â
• Individually, Destiny Pitts is shooting 45.3 percent (34-75) on 3-pointers this year, after making 38.2 percent (26-68) through 11 games a year ago. In addition, redshirt junior Gadiva Hubbard (42.6%), who missed last year with an injury, and freshman Sara Scalia (40.5%) have also bolstered the 3-point shooting.
• Minnesota is also 96 points better on free throws as it leads the Big Ten and ranks 14th nationally by shooting .774 percent from the line. That would shatter the program record of .763 set in 2009-10.
• At the line, six Gophers have attempted at least 10 free throws this year and all are shooting better than 74 percent, including Pitts (86.8), Jasmine Powell (78.6) and Taiye Bello (74.5), who rank 1-7-10 in the B1G in free throw percentage. Last year at this stage, of the six players with at least 10 attempts, only two were above 68 percent.
GOPHERS WINNING TURNOVER BATTLE
• The Gophers are averaging 79.0 points per game this year, nearly five points better than the 74.2 points they were averaging at this same stage a season ago.Â
• Two areas where Minnesota has seen improvement are from 3-point range and at the free-throw line. The Gophers' field goal percentage on 3-pointers is nearly 70 points better than last year even though they have 76 more attempts this year.Â
• Individually, Destiny Pitts is shooting 45.3 percent (34-75) on 3-pointers this year, after making 38.2 percent (26-68) through 11 games a year ago. In addition, redshirt junior Gadiva Hubbard (42.6%), who missed last year with an injury, and freshman Sara Scalia (40.5%) have also bolstered the 3-point shooting.
• Minnesota is also 96 points better on free throws as it leads the Big Ten and ranks 14th nationally by shooting .774 percent from the line. That would shatter the program record of .763 set in 2009-10.
• At the line, six Gophers have attempted at least 10 free throws this year and all are shooting better than 74 percent, including Pitts (86.8), Jasmine Powell (78.6) and Taiye Bello (74.5), who rank 1-7-10 in the B1G in free throw percentage. Last year at this stage, of the six players with at least 10 attempts, only two were above 68 percent.
GOPHERS WINNING TURNOVER BATTLE
• Minnesota is winning the turnover battle so far, forcing 214 turnovers while giving the ball away just 135 times through 11 games.Â
• Not only do the Gophers lead the Big Ten and rank 10th nationally with with just 12.3 turnovers committed per game, they are also second in the B1G in turnover margin (+7.18; 15th nationally), third in turnovers forced per game (19.45; 78th nationally) and fourth in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.28); 19th nationally).
• In terms of taking care of the ball, against Vermont on Nov. 10 the Gophers only committed five turnovers, which tied for the third fewest in program history. The Gophers have had three games this year with less than 10 turnovers and only three contests where it has turned the ball over more than 13 times.Â
• Five times this year Minnesota has forced opponents into at least 20 turnovers. Against Milwaukee on Nov. 14, Minnesota forced the Panthers into 33 turnovers, which tied for the 10th most forced in program history. The Gophers then turned those 33 turnovers into 35 points.
• Converting turnovers into points has been a trend for the Gophers all season. The Gophers have turned 214 takeaways into 268 points this year, an average of 1.25 points for every turnover forced.
• Not only do the Gophers lead the Big Ten and rank 10th nationally with with just 12.3 turnovers committed per game, they are also second in the B1G in turnover margin (+7.18; 15th nationally), third in turnovers forced per game (19.45; 78th nationally) and fourth in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.28); 19th nationally).
• In terms of taking care of the ball, against Vermont on Nov. 10 the Gophers only committed five turnovers, which tied for the third fewest in program history. The Gophers have had three games this year with less than 10 turnovers and only three contests where it has turned the ball over more than 13 times.Â
• Five times this year Minnesota has forced opponents into at least 20 turnovers. Against Milwaukee on Nov. 14, Minnesota forced the Panthers into 33 turnovers, which tied for the 10th most forced in program history. The Gophers then turned those 33 turnovers into 35 points.
• Converting turnovers into points has been a trend for the Gophers all season. The Gophers have turned 214 takeaways into 268 points this year, an average of 1.25 points for every turnover forced.
FRESHMAN POWELL, SCALIA MAKING INSTANT IMPACT
• Minnesota has six freshmen on its 2019-20 roster and some are already making significant contributions.Â
• Sara Scalia, who has started every contest this year except for the season opener, leads the team in free throw percentage (.909), is second in field goal percentage (.467), minutes per game (29.0) and steals (20), is third in 3-point percentage (.405) and rebounding (3.9) and ranks fourth in scoring (10.3).
• Against Bryant on Nov. 26, she scored a 20 points and tied a career high with seven rebounds en route to being named B1G Freshman of the Week. She later followed that up at George Washington on Dec. 10 when she set or tied multiple career highs, including points (23), rebounds (7), steals (4) and blocks (2).
• Jasmine Powell, who has come off the bench in all 11 games, is fifth on the team in scoring at 9.9 points per game and has a 2.16-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio, which ranks sixth in the Big Ten. She's also 33-of-42 (.786) at the line to rank second on the team in free throws made and attempted and seventh in the conference in percentage.
• Powell put up 19 points against Vermont on Nov. 10, the most by a non-starter at Minnesota since teammate Destiny Pitts had 20 on Nov. 16, 2017, and has scored in double figures in four games this year.
• With Scalia averaging 10.3 points per game and Powell at 9.9, the Gophers' duo is showing the makings of one of the top freshman scoring combinations in recent program history. In the last 25 years, the only other season in which more than one freshman averaged at least 9.9 points per game came in 2000-01 when current head coach Lindsay Whalen (17.0) and Tanisha Gilbert (14.7) did it.
• Additionally, the four freshmen that have played this year, including Klarke Sconiers (3.7 ppg) and Barbora Tomancova (0.8), have combined for 24.7 points per game, the highest figure among Gopher freshmen in the last 13 years and third largest in the last 25 years.
IN THE POLLS
• Minnesota is the top team receiving votes in both the latest AP Poll and the USA Today Coaches Poll, coming in at 26th in each.Â
• The Gophers moved up two spots from last week in both polls, securing 39 points in the AP Poll and 23 in the Coaches Poll.Â
• Ten of the Gophers' opponents this season currently appear in at least one of the two Top-25 polls. Maryland (12 AP/11 Coaches), Indiana (14/15), Missouri State (21/19) and Michigan (23/23) are ranked in both polls, while Michigan State, Rutgers, Northwestern and Arizona State are receiving votes in each.
• Meanwhile, Iowa and Nebraska are receiving votes in just the AP poll.Â
PITTS THE GOPHERS' OFFENSIVE CATALYST
• The Gophers moved up two spots from last week in both polls, securing 39 points in the AP Poll and 23 in the Coaches Poll.Â
• Ten of the Gophers' opponents this season currently appear in at least one of the two Top-25 polls. Maryland (12 AP/11 Coaches), Indiana (14/15), Missouri State (21/19) and Michigan (23/23) are ranked in both polls, while Michigan State, Rutgers, Northwestern and Arizona State are receiving votes in each.
• Meanwhile, Iowa and Nebraska are receiving votes in just the AP poll.Â
PITTS THE GOPHERS' OFFENSIVE CATALYST
• Named the Big Ten Freshman of the Year in 2017-18, Destiny Pitts earned All-Big Ten First Team honors from the league's media and Second Team recognition from the coaches last season. Now a junior, she's looking to take her game to the next level and become the 12th player in program history to be all-conference in at least three seasons.
• Pitts leads Minnesota and is fifth in the Big Ten in scoring at 15.9 points per game this season. She's also tied for the team lead in assists at 3.7 per game. Her 4.6 rebounds per game rank second on the squad.
• Pitts' 86.8 shooting on free throws leads the Big Ten (min. 2.5 made per game), and she is second in 3-pointers attempted (75), third in 3-pointers made (34) and 3-pointers made per game (3.09) and fourth in 3-point percentage (45.3).
• She was second on the team and sixth in the Big Ten by averaging 16.3 points per game last year. She also ranked second in the conference in free throw percentage (.838), third in 3-pointers made per game (2.5) and sixth in 3-point percentage (.352).
• She ranked fifth in team single-season history in 3-pointers attempted (230) and free throw percentage (.838), and sixth in 3-pointers made (81). Among her highlights on the year were a career-high 35 points, including 6-of-8 on 3-pointers and 11-of-12 at the free throw line at Boston College on Dec. 9, 29 points on a career-best 10 made field goals in a WNIT win against Northern Iowa on March 22 and 24 points with six assists versus Penn State on Feb. 17.
BELLO ENJOYING BIG SENIOR SEASON
• Pitts leads Minnesota and is fifth in the Big Ten in scoring at 15.9 points per game this season. She's also tied for the team lead in assists at 3.7 per game. Her 4.6 rebounds per game rank second on the squad.
• Pitts' 86.8 shooting on free throws leads the Big Ten (min. 2.5 made per game), and she is second in 3-pointers attempted (75), third in 3-pointers made (34) and 3-pointers made per game (3.09) and fourth in 3-point percentage (45.3).
• She was second on the team and sixth in the Big Ten by averaging 16.3 points per game last year. She also ranked second in the conference in free throw percentage (.838), third in 3-pointers made per game (2.5) and sixth in 3-point percentage (.352).
• She ranked fifth in team single-season history in 3-pointers attempted (230) and free throw percentage (.838), and sixth in 3-pointers made (81). Among her highlights on the year were a career-high 35 points, including 6-of-8 on 3-pointers and 11-of-12 at the free throw line at Boston College on Dec. 9, 29 points on a career-best 10 made field goals in a WNIT win against Northern Iowa on March 22 and 24 points with six assists versus Penn State on Feb. 17.
BELLO ENJOYING BIG SENIOR SEASON
• After a breakout junior year where she earned All-Big Ten Honorable Mention honors from the coaches and media, Taiye Bello is already having a strong senior season.
• In addition to her double-double prowess noted on page 1, Bello also leads the Big Ten in offensive rebounds per game (4.7), is second in total rebounds (111) and rebounds per game (10.1), third in field goal percentage (61.5), blocks (27) and blocks per game (2.45) and ninth in free throws made (35).
• In addition, after entering the season as a 63.8 percent shooter on free throws in her career, Bello currently ranks 10th in the league from the line at 74.5 percent.
• With eight offensive rebounds against Montana State on Nov. 23, Bello set the Gophers' all-time offensive rebounding record of 361 set by Janel McCarville. Bello has 395 in her career.
• She also ranks in the top 10 at Minnesota in career rebounds, defensive rebounds, games with 10+ rebounds, blocks and double-doubles.
• In addition to setting the Minnesota single-season record with 152 offensive rebounds last year, she also ranked fourth in team single-season history and tied for seventh in Big Ten history for total rebounds (380), fifth in team annals in rebound average (11.9) and defensive rebounds (228), and seventh in blocks (49).
• She had 19 games last year with at least 10 rebounds, 11 games with at least 15 boards, seven games with at least 18 rebounds and one game with at least 20.
HUBBARD BACK FROM FOOT INJURY
• In addition to her double-double prowess noted on page 1, Bello also leads the Big Ten in offensive rebounds per game (4.7), is second in total rebounds (111) and rebounds per game (10.1), third in field goal percentage (61.5), blocks (27) and blocks per game (2.45) and ninth in free throws made (35).
• In addition, after entering the season as a 63.8 percent shooter on free throws in her career, Bello currently ranks 10th in the league from the line at 74.5 percent.
• With eight offensive rebounds against Montana State on Nov. 23, Bello set the Gophers' all-time offensive rebounding record of 361 set by Janel McCarville. Bello has 395 in her career.
• She also ranks in the top 10 at Minnesota in career rebounds, defensive rebounds, games with 10+ rebounds, blocks and double-doubles.
• In addition to setting the Minnesota single-season record with 152 offensive rebounds last year, she also ranked fourth in team single-season history and tied for seventh in Big Ten history for total rebounds (380), fifth in team annals in rebound average (11.9) and defensive rebounds (228), and seventh in blocks (49).
• She had 19 games last year with at least 10 rebounds, 11 games with at least 15 boards, seven games with at least 18 rebounds and one game with at least 20.
HUBBARD BACK FROM FOOT INJURY
• Redshirt junior Gadiva Hubbard is back on the court this year after missing all of last season following surgery on her right foot on Oct. 19, 2018.
• She has started all 11 games this year and is averaging 12.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.1 steals and 1.4 assists in 28.8 minutes per game.Â
• Hubbard scored a season-high 24 points against UC Davis (12/15) thanks to 4-of-7 shooting from 3-point range and 6-of-8 shooting at the free throw line. It was her best scoring outing since going for 25 points against Penn State in Feb. of 2018. Hubbard also tied a season best with five rebounds.
• She also enjoyed a 20 point-game against then-No. 19 Arizona State on Nov. 17 and then matched that with 20 points, including six 3-pointers, in a win at Notre Dame on Dec. 4.
• Hubbard ranks sixth in the Big Ten in 3-point percentage (42.6), seventh in 3-pointers made (26) and 3-pointers made per game (2.36) and eighth in steals (23) and steals per game (2.09).
• Before her injury, Hubbard played in 32 games with 31 starts in 2017-18, finishing third on the team in scoring at 13.6 points per game and second with 3.4 assists.Â
• Hubbard ranked eighth in Minnesota history with 3-pointers attempted (198) and 10th with 3-pointers made (69) that season and reached double figures 23 times with eight 20-point games.
• She has started all 11 games this year and is averaging 12.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.1 steals and 1.4 assists in 28.8 minutes per game.Â
• Hubbard scored a season-high 24 points against UC Davis (12/15) thanks to 4-of-7 shooting from 3-point range and 6-of-8 shooting at the free throw line. It was her best scoring outing since going for 25 points against Penn State in Feb. of 2018. Hubbard also tied a season best with five rebounds.
• She also enjoyed a 20 point-game against then-No. 19 Arizona State on Nov. 17 and then matched that with 20 points, including six 3-pointers, in a win at Notre Dame on Dec. 4.
• Hubbard ranks sixth in the Big Ten in 3-point percentage (42.6), seventh in 3-pointers made (26) and 3-pointers made per game (2.36) and eighth in steals (23) and steals per game (2.09).
• Before her injury, Hubbard played in 32 games with 31 starts in 2017-18, finishing third on the team in scoring at 13.6 points per game and second with 3.4 assists.Â
• Hubbard ranked eighth in Minnesota history with 3-pointers attempted (198) and 10th with 3-pointers made (69) that season and reached double figures 23 times with eight 20-point games.
Highlights: Gophers 91, Iowa 85
Thursday, February 05
Tori McKinney - Gopher Women's Basketball - Minnesota Made
Thursday, February 05
Cinematic Recap: Gophers Crush Purdue
Wednesday, February 04
Highlights: Gophers 88, Purdue 55
Sunday, February 01