University of Minnesota Athletics
Thursday, January 30
7:00 PM
University of Minnesota
13-8,3-7Big Ten
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61
Nebraska
15-6,5-5Big Ten
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Nebraska
19
20
9
13
61
Minnesota
15
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Photo by: Kelly Hagenson
Brunson, Powell Lead Gophers to Comeback Win over Nebraska
1/30/2020 10:25:00 PM | Women's Basketball
MINNEAPOLIS -- With its two Jasmines -- Brunson and Powell -- leading the way, Minnesota (13-8, 3-7 B1G) snapped a four-game home losing streak with a 67-61 win over Nebraska (15-6, 5-5) Thursday night at Williams Arena.
Brunson, a senior, and Powell, a freshman, combined for 35 points, nine assists, nine steals and seven rebounds as the Golden Gophers avenged an earlier 72-58 loss at Nebraska on Jan. 4.
Making her second career start, Powell tied a career high with 19 points, while her 7-of-17 shooting also tied personal bests for field goals made and attempted. She added seven rebounds, four steals and three assists.
She made a pair of 3-pointers, including one with 1:17 left that gave the Gophers a 65-59 edge. The Detroit, Mich., native has improved her 3-point shooting as of late. Going 2-for-6 Thursday, she's now 9-for-18 (.500) over her last five games after making just 4-for-26 (.154) through her first 16 games of the season.
Brunson's 16 points tied a season high and were one off a career best. In addition, she matched career highs with six assists and five steals.
Senior Taiye Bello recorded her 10th double double of the season and the 25th of her career with 13 points and 10 rebounds, including nine points and eight rebounds in the second half alone. It was her fourth straight game with at least 10 boards and her third double-double in the last four games.
Also in double figures was freshman Sara Scalia, who had 11, including a pair of made 3-pointers.
A back-and-forth first half saw the teams tied at 27-27 with just over three minutes to play in the second quarter. Nebraska then went on a 12-0 run to seemingly take momentum, but Gophers senior Masha Adashchyk beat the buzzer with a 3-pointer to make it a 39-30 Huskers lead at halftime.
The Gophers stormed out in the second half scoring the first 10 points. After a basket from Bello, Scalia converted a three-point play to cut the lead to 39-35. Powell made a free throw, Brunson scored and Bello added another layup to complete the run and give Minnesota a 40-39 lead, its first since going up 24-23.
Nebraska countered with the next six points to go back up 45-40, but Minnesota fought back to be down one at 48-47 entering the fourth.
A layup from the Huskers' Kate Cain gave them a 55-49 lead with 8:24 to play, but it would be all Minnesota the rest of the way as the Gophers embarked on a 13-2 run to take control. Powell had six points during the stretch, while Brunson had four and Bello scored three.
Leigha Brown's layup ended the Gopher run and made it 62-59 for Minnesota with 1:47 to play. Fittingly, on the next possession Brunson found Powell who knocked down the 3-pointer to push the lead to six. Nebraska, which had 20 fast-break points in the first half but none in the second, did not get closer than four points after Powell's 3-pointer.
Minnesota now has a quick turnaround as it's back on the Williams Arena floor Sunday afternoon against Rutgers (16-4, 6-3 B1G) at 2 p.m. on ESPN2.
Brunson, a senior, and Powell, a freshman, combined for 35 points, nine assists, nine steals and seven rebounds as the Golden Gophers avenged an earlier 72-58 loss at Nebraska on Jan. 4.
Making her second career start, Powell tied a career high with 19 points, while her 7-of-17 shooting also tied personal bests for field goals made and attempted. She added seven rebounds, four steals and three assists.
She made a pair of 3-pointers, including one with 1:17 left that gave the Gophers a 65-59 edge. The Detroit, Mich., native has improved her 3-point shooting as of late. Going 2-for-6 Thursday, she's now 9-for-18 (.500) over her last five games after making just 4-for-26 (.154) through her first 16 games of the season.
Brunson's 16 points tied a season high and were one off a career best. In addition, she matched career highs with six assists and five steals.
Senior Taiye Bello recorded her 10th double double of the season and the 25th of her career with 13 points and 10 rebounds, including nine points and eight rebounds in the second half alone. It was her fourth straight game with at least 10 boards and her third double-double in the last four games.
Also in double figures was freshman Sara Scalia, who had 11, including a pair of made 3-pointers.
A back-and-forth first half saw the teams tied at 27-27 with just over three minutes to play in the second quarter. Nebraska then went on a 12-0 run to seemingly take momentum, but Gophers senior Masha Adashchyk beat the buzzer with a 3-pointer to make it a 39-30 Huskers lead at halftime.
The Gophers stormed out in the second half scoring the first 10 points. After a basket from Bello, Scalia converted a three-point play to cut the lead to 39-35. Powell made a free throw, Brunson scored and Bello added another layup to complete the run and give Minnesota a 40-39 lead, its first since going up 24-23.
Nebraska countered with the next six points to go back up 45-40, but Minnesota fought back to be down one at 48-47 entering the fourth.
A layup from the Huskers' Kate Cain gave them a 55-49 lead with 8:24 to play, but it would be all Minnesota the rest of the way as the Gophers embarked on a 13-2 run to take control. Powell had six points during the stretch, while Brunson had four and Bello scored three.
Leigha Brown's layup ended the Gopher run and made it 62-59 for Minnesota with 1:47 to play. Fittingly, on the next possession Brunson found Powell who knocked down the 3-pointer to push the lead to six. Nebraska, which had 20 fast-break points in the first half but none in the second, did not get closer than four points after Powell's 3-pointer.
Minnesota now has a quick turnaround as it's back on the Williams Arena floor Sunday afternoon against Rutgers (16-4, 6-3 B1G) at 2 p.m. on ESPN2.
Team Stats
Nebr
MINN
FG%
.429
.369
3FG%
.222
.294
FT%
.917
.778
RB
41
35
TO
22
12
STL
8
14
Game Leaders
Pts
19
FGM
7
3FGM
2
FTM
3
Pts
16
FGM
6
3FGM
0
FTM
4
Pts
13
FGM
5
3FGM
0
FTM
3
Pts
11
FGM
4
3FGM
2
FTM
1
Players Mentioned
G
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