University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
12-1,0-1Big Ten
Prairie View A&M
2-6,0-0SWAC
Minnesota Takes Down Prairie View A&M 96-57
12/20/2024 4:21:00 PM | Women's Basketball
The Gophers wrap up their non conference slate with a win
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. - The Minnesota women's basketball team (12-1, 0-1 Big Ten) had 14 fewer turnovers than Prairie View A&M (2-7, 0-0 SWAC) in a 96-57 victory over the Panthers at home on Friday afternoon.
The Golden Gophers had four players score in double figures, led by Annika Stewart, who had a season high 20 points. Tori McKinney tacked on a season and career high 17 points and five steals and Mallory Heyer chipped in as well with 15 points and nine rebounds.
Minnesota pulled down 41 rebounds in Friday's game compared to Prairie View's 31, led by nine boards from Heyer. The Maroon & Gold also put in work on the offensive glass, turning 16 rebounds into 23 second chance points.
Minnesota forced 17 Prairie View turnovers while committing only three themselves in Friday's game. The Gophers turned those takeaways into 19 points on the other end of the floor. McKinney's five steals led the way for Minnesota.
How It Happened
After falling behind 4-2, Minnesota went on a 9-0 run with 8:21 left in the first quarter to take an 11-4 lead. The Gophers then lost some of that lead, but still entered the quarter break with a 21-15 advantage. Minnesota relied on its three-point shooting in the period, knocking down three shots to account for nine of its 21 points.
Minnesota built that first quarter lead to 25-17 before going on an 11-0 run starting at the 6:22 mark in the second period to increase its lead to 36-17. The Gophers proceeded to tack on five points to that lead and enjoyed a 49-25 advantage heading into halftime. Minnesota saw non-starters score 11 of its 28 total points off the bench in the quarter.
Minnesota continued to preserve its halftime lead before going on a 6-0 run, punctuated by a basket from McKinney, to expand its lead further to 72-45 with zero seconds to go in the third, a score which remained until the end of the third quarter. Minnesota played well near the basket, scoring 14 of its 23 points in the paint.
Minnesota kept widening that lead, expanding it to 85-53 before going on an 8-0 run to grow the lead to 93-53 with 3:50 to go in the contest. The Panthers narrowed the margin somewhat before the game was over, but the Gophers still cruised the rest of the way for the 96-57 win. Minnesota took advantage of its opportunities in the post, scoring 12 of its 24 points in the paint.
Game Notes
» Minnesota shot well from three point range, knocking down 10 of 25 long range attempts.
» The Maroon & Gold never trailed after taking a 21-15 first quarter lead.
» The Gophers put on a passing clinic, recording an assist on 71 percent of made field goals.
» The Minnesota bench came alive by scoring 32 points to its scoring output.
» The Gophers forced 17 Prairie View A&M turnovers while committing only three on the other end.
» Minnesota had a 41-31 edge on the boards in the win.
» The Minnesota defense forced 17 turnovers.
» The Gophers were active in affecting shots on the defensive end, recording six blocks as a team.
» Minnesota turned the ball over three times while dishing out 24 assists.
» Minnesota cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 16 offensive boards in the game.
» Annika Stewart led the Gophers with a game-high 20 points.
» Minnesota got a game-high nine rebounds from Mallory Heyer.
