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University of Minnesota Athletics
Wednesday, February 10
6:00 PM
University of Minnesota
vs
Illinois
Players Mentioned
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/ Women's Basketball
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/ Women's Basketball
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/ Women's Basketball
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/ Women's Basketball
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/ Women's Basketball
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/ Women's Basketball
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/ Women's Basketball
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/ Women's Basketball
Photo by: Kelly Hagenson
Gophers Host Illinois Wednesday in Play4Kay Pink Game
2/9/2021 1:25:00 PM | Women's Basketball
MINNEAPOLIS -- Minnesota (5-9, 4-8 Big Ten) is back home Wednesday as it hosts Illinois (3-11, 1-10 B1G) at 6 p.m. in its annual Play4Kay Pink Game.
The contest, which is the first of two scheduled matchups between the schools this year, will be streamed on Big Ten Network Plus and can be heard on the Gophers' radio home, 96.7 FM KFAN Plus.
THE OPENING TIP-OFF
FACING ILLINOIS
LAST SEASON AGAINST THE ILLINI
LAST TIME IN MINNEAPOLIS
RECAPPING THE GAME AT OHIO STATE
BIG TEN RANKINGS
GOPHERS ENDURING DESPITE CHALLENGING SCHEDULE
GOPHERS GAINING EXPERIENCE WITH YOUNG ROSTER
The contest, which is the first of two scheduled matchups between the schools this year, will be streamed on Big Ten Network Plus and can be heard on the Gophers' radio home, 96.7 FM KFAN Plus.
THE OPENING TIP-OFF
• Jasmine Powell leads the Gophers with a scoring average of 15.4 points per game this season. She had scored at least 11 points in each of the previous 15 games but that streak was snapped Sunday at Ohio State when she was held to five points. In addition to her scoring prowess, which ranks 18th in the Big Ten, Powell is second in the conference and 20th nationally with her 5.6 assists per game.
• Powell is one of only four players in the country to be averaging at least 15.4 points and 5.6 assists this season along with Iowa's Caitlin Clark (25.9 points, 6.4 assists), UConn's Paige Bueckers (20.4, 5.7) and Seton Hall's Lauren Park-Lane (18.0, 5.7).
• After missing the first two games of the season, Sara Scalia averaged 8.0 points over her first three contests and was shooting 23.5 percent from the floor (8-34) and 20 percent on 3-pointers (4-20). However, she has averaged 17.0 points over her last eight contests while shooting 41.7 percent on field goals (45-108) and 38.9 percent on 3's (28-72). She missed the Jan. 10 contest with Penn State but has scored at least 11 points in each of those eight games, including a career-high 30 against Purdue on Jan. 28. It was the first 30-point game by the Gophers since Dec. of 2018. Scalia has made two or more 3-pointers in each of the last eight outings, including four with at least four made and a career-best six vs. Purdue.
• In the season opener, Kadi Sissoko scored 24 points in her first game at Minnesota to tie a school record for points a Gophers debut (Kenisha Bell vs. VCU, 11/15/16). Sissoko has recorded two double-doubles this season and has been close to adding to that total in three other games with 8 points and 9 rebounds at Nebraska (1/19), 15 points and 8 boards at Penn State (1/25) and 13 points with 9 rebounds at Ohio State (2/7). Sissoko is the team's top rebounder (6.9 per game), ranks fourth in the Big Ten in offensive rebounds per game (3.4) and is 16th in rebounding average.
• After scoring a season-high 24 points at Wisconsin (1/3), Gadiva Hubbard had her scoring average at a season-best 12.8 points per game. However, she scored only 14 points in her next three games while shooting 24.0 percent from the floor (6-25) and 5.9 percent on 3-pointers (1-17). She's since broken out of that mini-slump, though, by scoring 18 points in each of her last two games and improving her shooting: 11-22 from the field (50.0 percent) and 7-17 (41.2) on 3's. She has missed the last three contests due to injury, but her scoring average is back up to 11.5 per contest and she's averaged 6.5 rebounds in her last two games after posting 3.1 over her first nine games.
• Powell is one of only four players in the country to be averaging at least 15.4 points and 5.6 assists this season along with Iowa's Caitlin Clark (25.9 points, 6.4 assists), UConn's Paige Bueckers (20.4, 5.7) and Seton Hall's Lauren Park-Lane (18.0, 5.7).
• After missing the first two games of the season, Sara Scalia averaged 8.0 points over her first three contests and was shooting 23.5 percent from the floor (8-34) and 20 percent on 3-pointers (4-20). However, she has averaged 17.0 points over her last eight contests while shooting 41.7 percent on field goals (45-108) and 38.9 percent on 3's (28-72). She missed the Jan. 10 contest with Penn State but has scored at least 11 points in each of those eight games, including a career-high 30 against Purdue on Jan. 28. It was the first 30-point game by the Gophers since Dec. of 2018. Scalia has made two or more 3-pointers in each of the last eight outings, including four with at least four made and a career-best six vs. Purdue.
• In the season opener, Kadi Sissoko scored 24 points in her first game at Minnesota to tie a school record for points a Gophers debut (Kenisha Bell vs. VCU, 11/15/16). Sissoko has recorded two double-doubles this season and has been close to adding to that total in three other games with 8 points and 9 rebounds at Nebraska (1/19), 15 points and 8 boards at Penn State (1/25) and 13 points with 9 rebounds at Ohio State (2/7). Sissoko is the team's top rebounder (6.9 per game), ranks fourth in the Big Ten in offensive rebounds per game (3.4) and is 16th in rebounding average.
• After scoring a season-high 24 points at Wisconsin (1/3), Gadiva Hubbard had her scoring average at a season-best 12.8 points per game. However, she scored only 14 points in her next three games while shooting 24.0 percent from the floor (6-25) and 5.9 percent on 3-pointers (1-17). She's since broken out of that mini-slump, though, by scoring 18 points in each of her last two games and improving her shooting: 11-22 from the field (50.0 percent) and 7-17 (41.2) on 3's. She has missed the last three contests due to injury, but her scoring average is back up to 11.5 per contest and she's averaged 6.5 rebounds in her last two games after posting 3.1 over her first nine games.
• The Gophers are 2-6 at home this season with wins over Eastern Illinois and Purdue. Like she is for the season, Powell is the team's top scorer at Williams Arena with 17.0 points per game. Also averaging double figures for Minnesota at home are Scalia (15.6) and Sissoko (11.0). Klarke Sconiers is the team's top rebounder in Minneapolis with 6.8 boards per contest.
FACING ILLINOIS
• Minnesota and Illinois meet for the 68th time on Wednesday. The Gophers trail in the all-time series 38-29, but have won four of the past six meetings.
• In Minneapolis, the Gophers lead the all-time series 18-13, and they've won three of the last four against the Illini in Williams Arena.
• Illinois has one Minnesotan on its roster in sophomore Solape Amusan from Woodbury and Woodbury HS.
• The Illini are 3-11 on the season and 1-10 in Big Ten play. They snapped a 10-game losing streak Sunday with a 54-49 win over Purdue.
• Jeanae Terry leads the Illini in both scoring rebounding at 12.6 points and 9.1 rebounds per game. She is joined in double figures along with Jada Peebles (10.6) and Kennedi Myles (10.1).
• Peebles ranks fourth in the Big Ten in minutes played per game (34.54), while Terry is fifth in the league in rebound average and steals (29).
• In Minneapolis, the Gophers lead the all-time series 18-13, and they've won three of the last four against the Illini in Williams Arena.
• Illinois has one Minnesotan on its roster in sophomore Solape Amusan from Woodbury and Woodbury HS.
• The Illini are 3-11 on the season and 1-10 in Big Ten play. They snapped a 10-game losing streak Sunday with a 54-49 win over Purdue.
• Jeanae Terry leads the Illini in both scoring rebounding at 12.6 points and 9.1 rebounds per game. She is joined in double figures along with Jada Peebles (10.6) and Kennedi Myles (10.1).
• Peebles ranks fourth in the Big Ten in minutes played per game (34.54), while Terry is fifth in the league in rebound average and steals (29).
LAST SEASON AGAINST THE ILLINI
• Despite four players in double figures, Minnesota was unable to complete a late comeback in a 74-71 loss last season at Illinois.
• Sara Scalia and Jasmine Powell were the top scorers for Minnesota, while Jasmine Brunson and Gadiva Hubbard also reached double figures.
• Scalia busted out for 16 points thanks to three 3-pointers and added seven rebounds, while Powell scored 15. Brunson contributed with 14 points, and Hubbard's 12 points were aided by a game-high five assists.
• The Illini had their biggest lead of the game at 68-56 with 4:28 to play but the Gophers wouldn't go down without a fight.
• Scalia made a three and Brunson followed with a jumper to cut the lead to seven with 3:20 to go. After a pair of made free throws for Illinois' Petra Holesínská, who had a game-high 28 points, Hubbard got it to within six on a 3-pointer.
• After Holesínská and Powell traded more free throws, Brunson hit a 3-pointer in the corner, stole the ball on the ensuing possession and fed Powell for a layup to get Minnesota within one at 72-71 with 1:11 to play.
• Unfortunately, the inbounds pass on the Gophers' next possession was stolen and a pair of free throws pushed the Illini lead back to three at 74-71 with 11 seconds to go. Minnesota had a chance to tie it up but Powell's 3-pointer at the buzzer hit the rim.
• Sara Scalia and Jasmine Powell were the top scorers for Minnesota, while Jasmine Brunson and Gadiva Hubbard also reached double figures.
• Scalia busted out for 16 points thanks to three 3-pointers and added seven rebounds, while Powell scored 15. Brunson contributed with 14 points, and Hubbard's 12 points were aided by a game-high five assists.
• The Illini had their biggest lead of the game at 68-56 with 4:28 to play but the Gophers wouldn't go down without a fight.
• Scalia made a three and Brunson followed with a jumper to cut the lead to seven with 3:20 to go. After a pair of made free throws for Illinois' Petra Holesínská, who had a game-high 28 points, Hubbard got it to within six on a 3-pointer.
• After Holesínská and Powell traded more free throws, Brunson hit a 3-pointer in the corner, stole the ball on the ensuing possession and fed Powell for a layup to get Minnesota within one at 72-71 with 1:11 to play.
• Unfortunately, the inbounds pass on the Gophers' next possession was stolen and a pair of free throws pushed the Illini lead back to three at 74-71 with 11 seconds to go. Minnesota had a chance to tie it up but Powell's 3-pointer at the buzzer hit the rim.
LAST TIME IN MINNEAPOLIS
• Minnesota saw a 10-game home win streak come to an end with a 66-62 loss to Illinois on Jan. 9, 2019.
• Three Golden Gophers scored in double figures, led by 18 points from Annalese Lamke. All 18 came in the first half, as she added eight rebounds and three assists.
• Jasmine Brunson scored 17 points, including 12 in the third quarter alone, while Kenisha Bell logged a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds.
• Down 19-17 less than two minutes into the second quarter, the Gophers took control for the time being with a 16-0 run over nearly six minutes of action to pull ahead 33-19. They led 35-21 at halftime.
• Minnesota's biggest lead came early in the third quarter when a 3-pointer from Brunson put the Gophers ahead 44-27 with 7:38 remaining. Illinois quickly countered though, and went on a 12-0 run.
• Bell hit a jumper to put Minnesota on top 55-43 with 8:37 to play in the game, but Illinois scored the next nine points to make it a 55-52 game.
• A 3-pointer from Destiny Pitts seemed to take momentum away from the Illini as Minnesota led 60-55 with just over four minutes to play, but Illinois used an 11-2 run to close out the game.
• Three Golden Gophers scored in double figures, led by 18 points from Annalese Lamke. All 18 came in the first half, as she added eight rebounds and three assists.
• Jasmine Brunson scored 17 points, including 12 in the third quarter alone, while Kenisha Bell logged a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds.
• Down 19-17 less than two minutes into the second quarter, the Gophers took control for the time being with a 16-0 run over nearly six minutes of action to pull ahead 33-19. They led 35-21 at halftime.
• Minnesota's biggest lead came early in the third quarter when a 3-pointer from Brunson put the Gophers ahead 44-27 with 7:38 remaining. Illinois quickly countered though, and went on a 12-0 run.
• Bell hit a jumper to put Minnesota on top 55-43 with 8:37 to play in the game, but Illinois scored the next nine points to make it a 55-52 game.
• A 3-pointer from Destiny Pitts seemed to take momentum away from the Illini as Minnesota led 60-55 with just over four minutes to play, but Illinois used an 11-2 run to close out the game.
• Minnesota saw its two-game road winning streak end Sunday with an 83-59 loss at No. 11/13 Ohio State.
• Three Gophers reached double figures with Kadi Sissoko leading the way with 13 points and nine rebounds, just missing out on her third double-double. Sara Scalia and Klarke Sconiers each finished with 12 points.
• Ohio State opened the game on a 11-2 run and never trailed. The Buckeyes led 25-14 after the first quarter, but the Gophers' defense stepped up in the second quarter. Minnesota scored 12 of the first 17 points over the first 6:15 of the frame, getting within 30-26.
• Unfortunately, Ohio State scored the next seven points and led 39-30 at halftime.
• The Buckeyes broke the game open in the third quarter by opening the second half on a 15-2 run. The stretch extended into a 25-6 advantage, pushing Ohio State's lead to its largest of the contest at 64-36 with 2:20 left in the third.
• Ohio State was led by double-doubles from Dorka Juhasz and Aaliyah Patty. Each player had 10 rebounds, while Juhasz had 18 points and Patty added 14.
• Sconiers (8) and Caroline Strande (7) combined for 15 of the Gophers' 18 points in the fourth quarter. It was Strande's second straight game with that many points, finishing two off her career high. Katie Borwoicz filled the stat sheet with six points and career highs in rebounds (5), assists (3) and minutes played (22:07).
POWELL, GOPHERS IMPROVING FROM LONG RANGE
• Three Gophers reached double figures with Kadi Sissoko leading the way with 13 points and nine rebounds, just missing out on her third double-double. Sara Scalia and Klarke Sconiers each finished with 12 points.
• Ohio State opened the game on a 11-2 run and never trailed. The Buckeyes led 25-14 after the first quarter, but the Gophers' defense stepped up in the second quarter. Minnesota scored 12 of the first 17 points over the first 6:15 of the frame, getting within 30-26.
• Unfortunately, Ohio State scored the next seven points and led 39-30 at halftime.
• The Buckeyes broke the game open in the third quarter by opening the second half on a 15-2 run. The stretch extended into a 25-6 advantage, pushing Ohio State's lead to its largest of the contest at 64-36 with 2:20 left in the third.
• Ohio State was led by double-doubles from Dorka Juhasz and Aaliyah Patty. Each player had 10 rebounds, while Juhasz had 18 points and Patty added 14.
• Sconiers (8) and Caroline Strande (7) combined for 15 of the Gophers' 18 points in the fourth quarter. It was Strande's second straight game with that many points, finishing two off her career high. Katie Borwoicz filled the stat sheet with six points and career highs in rebounds (5), assists (3) and minutes played (22:07).
POWELL, GOPHERS IMPROVING FROM LONG RANGE
• Sophomore Jasmine Powell has improved her 3-point shooting between the first two years of her career.
• As a freshman, Powell was 30-of-100 on 3-pointers, shooting 30 percent from long range and making 0.96 3-pointers per contest over 31 games. But this year in just 14 games, she's already 32-of-90 on 3's while shooting 35.6 percent and making 2.3 per game.
• She ranks fourth in the Big Ten in 3's made and fifth in 3's attempted, 3' made per game and 3-point percentage.
• This season, Powell has made at least two 3-pointers in 10 of 14 contests, including eight games with at least three made and two games of a career-high four made 3's. She's made at least three 3-pointers in six of her last nine outings.
• As a team, the Gophers have seen notable improvement in 3-pointers as of late. Through the first eight games, the team was shooting a combined 28.6 percent (57-199) from long range, but in the six games since they're shooting 37.3 percent (50-134).
• During the recent stretch, Powell is 12-30 (40.0 percent) on 3's, Sara Scalia is 21-54 (38.9) and Gadiva Hubbard is 7-20 (35.0). Five Gophers have attempted five or more 3's in the last six games and all boast a shooting percentage of at least .333 in that span.
• The team ranks third in the Big Ten in 3-pointers made per game (7.6), fourth in 3's made and attempted (107-333) and seventh in percentage (.321).
SISSOKO, SCONIERS AMONG BIG TEN'S MOST IMPROVED
• As a freshman, Powell was 30-of-100 on 3-pointers, shooting 30 percent from long range and making 0.96 3-pointers per contest over 31 games. But this year in just 14 games, she's already 32-of-90 on 3's while shooting 35.6 percent and making 2.3 per game.
• She ranks fourth in the Big Ten in 3's made and fifth in 3's attempted, 3' made per game and 3-point percentage.
• This season, Powell has made at least two 3-pointers in 10 of 14 contests, including eight games with at least three made and two games of a career-high four made 3's. She's made at least three 3-pointers in six of her last nine outings.
• As a team, the Gophers have seen notable improvement in 3-pointers as of late. Through the first eight games, the team was shooting a combined 28.6 percent (57-199) from long range, but in the six games since they're shooting 37.3 percent (50-134).
• During the recent stretch, Powell is 12-30 (40.0 percent) on 3's, Sara Scalia is 21-54 (38.9) and Gadiva Hubbard is 7-20 (35.0). Five Gophers have attempted five or more 3's in the last six games and all boast a shooting percentage of at least .333 in that span.
• The team ranks third in the Big Ten in 3-pointers made per game (7.6), fourth in 3's made and attempted (107-333) and seventh in percentage (.321).
SISSOKO, SCONIERS AMONG BIG TEN'S MOST IMPROVED
• Kadi Sissoko has recorded the second biggest increase in both rebounding average and scoring average in all of the Big Ten from her last season of competition to this year.
• As a freshman at Syracuse in 2018-19, Sissoko averaged 1.8 rebounds per game. But this year, her rebounding average stands at 6.9. That increase of 5.1 rebounds per game is second best in the conference. Meanwhile, Klarke Sconiers' increase from 1.6 boards per game last year to 4.9 this year is 10th best.
• Sissoko is also second among the most improved scorers in the league as she has gone from 3.2 points per game as a freshman to 12.4 this year.
• As a freshman at Syracuse in 2018-19, Sissoko averaged 1.8 rebounds per game. But this year, her rebounding average stands at 6.9. That increase of 5.1 rebounds per game is second best in the conference. Meanwhile, Klarke Sconiers' increase from 1.6 boards per game last year to 4.9 this year is 10th best.
• Sissoko is also second among the most improved scorers in the league as she has gone from 3.2 points per game as a freshman to 12.4 this year.
BIG TEN RANKINGS
• The Gophers have four players averaging double figures in Big Ten play with Sara Scalia leading the way at 14.5 points per game. Jasmine Powell is behind her at 14.4, while Gadiva Hubbard is at 11.6 and Kadi Sissoko is averaging 11.5 points per game. Sissoko also has a team-best 6.6 rebounds per contest in B1G play.
• In Big Ten play, the Gophers rank third in 3's made per game (7.92) and fifth in free throw percentage (.753), 3-point percentage (.325) and offensive rebounds per game (12.5).
• Powell ranks fourth in assists per game (5.33), fifth in 3's made per game (2.25), seventh in free throw percentage (.800) and 20th in scoring average.
• Scalia is third in 3's made per game (2.91), fourth in 3-point percentage (.348) and 19th in scoring.
• Sissoko sits fourth in offensive rebounds (3.08) and 19th in rebounding average (6.58).
• Hubbard ranks 12th in 3's made per game (1.78), and Klarke Sconiers is 12th in blocks per game (0.92).
• In Big Ten play, the Gophers rank third in 3's made per game (7.92) and fifth in free throw percentage (.753), 3-point percentage (.325) and offensive rebounds per game (12.5).
• Powell ranks fourth in assists per game (5.33), fifth in 3's made per game (2.25), seventh in free throw percentage (.800) and 20th in scoring average.
• Scalia is third in 3's made per game (2.91), fourth in 3-point percentage (.348) and 19th in scoring.
• Sissoko sits fourth in offensive rebounds (3.08) and 19th in rebounding average (6.58).
• Hubbard ranks 12th in 3's made per game (1.78), and Klarke Sconiers is 12th in blocks per game (0.92).
GOPHERS ENDURING DESPITE CHALLENGING SCHEDULE
• Minnesota is 5-9 on the season and 4-8 in Big Ten play after winning three of its past five, though the team has faced the most difficult schedule in the Big Ten so far.
• The teams the Gophers have played have a combined record of 131-89 (.595), including a 95-43 (.688) mark for the teams against which they've lost.
• The .595 opponent win percentage for Minnesota is the highest of any team in the Big Ten with no other team currently facing opponents with a win percentage higher than .573.
• Eight of the nine losses in Big Ten play have come against teams currently ranked or receiving votes in the USA Today Coaches Top 25: No. 10 Maryland (13-2), No. 11 Ohio State (12-2), No. 12 Michigan (10-1), No. 14 Indiana (11-4), No. 20 Northwestern (11-3), RV Michigan State (10-5) and RV Iowa (10-6, twice).
• The teams the Gophers have played have a combined record of 131-89 (.595), including a 95-43 (.688) mark for the teams against which they've lost.
• The .595 opponent win percentage for Minnesota is the highest of any team in the Big Ten with no other team currently facing opponents with a win percentage higher than .573.
• Eight of the nine losses in Big Ten play have come against teams currently ranked or receiving votes in the USA Today Coaches Top 25: No. 10 Maryland (13-2), No. 11 Ohio State (12-2), No. 12 Michigan (10-1), No. 14 Indiana (11-4), No. 20 Northwestern (11-3), RV Michigan State (10-5) and RV Iowa (10-6, twice).
GOPHERS GAINING EXPERIENCE WITH YOUNG ROSTER
• With 10 of its 13 players either freshmen or sophomores, no team in the Big Ten has a higher percentage of its roster comprised of underclassmen than Minnesota's 76.9 percent. Wisconsin (73.3 percent) is the only other team at 70 percent or higher.
• Through Feb. 7, the Gophers' roster had played a combined 10,241 minutes, which ranks ninth in the Big Ten. For comparison, Purdue leads the conference with a combined 16,950 minutes.
• Redshirt senior Gadiva Hubbard (3,182) accounts for nearly a third of the Gophers' career minutes herself. The other two upperclassmen are graduate transfer Laura Bagwell Katalinich (1,685) and junior Kayla Mershon (1,097). Bagwell Katalinich missed the first three games this season due to injury, while Mershon sat out the first four due to NCAA transfer rules. Those three combine for nearly 60 percent of the Gophers' career minutes.
• Of the 13 Gophers on the roster this year, six are playing in their first season of collegiate basketball and three are playing in their first year at Minnesota.
• If the minutes are limited to only in their time within the program, the Gophers have a combined 7,663, which would rank 13th in the conference, and Hubbard would account for 41.5 percent of those minutes.
• Meanwhile, Hubbard (-2.1 minutes per game) and Sara Scalia (+0.2) have seen their playing time stay relatively similar to last year, while Klarke Sconiers (+8.0) and Jasmine Powell (+6.9) have both seen notable increases in their playing time.
• Through Feb. 7, the Gophers' roster had played a combined 10,241 minutes, which ranks ninth in the Big Ten. For comparison, Purdue leads the conference with a combined 16,950 minutes.
• Redshirt senior Gadiva Hubbard (3,182) accounts for nearly a third of the Gophers' career minutes herself. The other two upperclassmen are graduate transfer Laura Bagwell Katalinich (1,685) and junior Kayla Mershon (1,097). Bagwell Katalinich missed the first three games this season due to injury, while Mershon sat out the first four due to NCAA transfer rules. Those three combine for nearly 60 percent of the Gophers' career minutes.
• Of the 13 Gophers on the roster this year, six are playing in their first season of collegiate basketball and three are playing in their first year at Minnesota.
• If the minutes are limited to only in their time within the program, the Gophers have a combined 7,663, which would rank 13th in the conference, and Hubbard would account for 41.5 percent of those minutes.
• Meanwhile, Hubbard (-2.1 minutes per game) and Sara Scalia (+0.2) have seen their playing time stay relatively similar to last year, while Klarke Sconiers (+8.0) and Jasmine Powell (+6.9) have both seen notable increases in their playing time.
Cinematic Recap: Gophers-NJIT
Saturday, November 15
Highlights: Gophers 88, NJIT 39
Friday, November 14
Cinematic Recap: Gophers-Marquette
Thursday, November 13
Highlights: Gophers 90, Marquette 47
Tuesday, November 11