The University of Minnesota women’s basketball team (2-0, 0-0 B1G) will host the Massachusetts Lowell River Hawks (0-2, 0-0 America East) for the first time in program history on Tuesday, Nov. 12.
Minnesota (2-0, 0-0 Big Ten) vs Massachusetts Lowell (0-2, 0-0 America East)
Tip Time: 7:01 p.m. CT
Location: Williams Arena
Scouting the River Hawks
• The River Hawks are off to an 0-2 start, with losses coming against Colgate and Holy Cross
• Tuesday’s game is the first meeting between Minnesota and Massachusetts Lowell
• They are the second America East team that Minnesota will face
• The River Hawks return 2023-24 America East All-Defensive Team member, Sydney Watkins, 2023-24 America East All-Rookie Team selection Durant, and River Hawks’ 2023-24 point leader, Abbey Lindsey
• In their home opener, Lindsey totaled 11 points and four assists, while sophomore Maddie Rice contributed nine points and a team-best nine rebounds.Watkins also had nine points and three steals.
Twin ‘Ems
• On Monday, juniors Mara Braun and Amaya Battle had almost identical stat sheets
• Both dropped 21 points and went 8-14 in field goals while Braun was 3-6 from the arc and Battle was 3-5
• Braun was 2-2 in free throws, Battle went 2-3
• Battle totaled 34 minutes, Braun saw the court for 33
Making her Mark
• On Friday, Braun grabbed eight steals over the Vermont Catamounts: a career and season record
• She is the first Gopher since Carol Ann Shudlick to record eight assists in a game
• Shudlick did it against Michigan State on Jan. 28, 1994
• The stat now ranks Braun first in the Big Ten and eighth nationally in steals per game
• The junior guard is also seated 14th nationally and first in the conference in total steals
Bench Points
• Minnesota’s bench has stayed consistent to open the season, totaling 73 points
• Against Central Connecticut State, the Gophers’ bench put away 50 points, marking the most in three seasons
• They rank 33rd in the country and second in the Big Ten
• Transfers Annika Stewart and Taylor Woodson have led the way
• Against Central Connecticut State, Stewart had 18 points (game high) and Woodson had 10 points subbing into the game
Consistency is Key
• Battle and fellow junior Mallory Heyer have stayed consistent going into their third year
• Both lead Minnesota in consecutive starts
• Heyer, a forward from Chaska, Minn., has 66 straight starts while Battle has 62
Other Notables
• Kennedy Klick made her Golden Gopher debut on Monday after missing the 2023-24 season with a knee injury. Klick registered her first bucket with 1:17 left in the game.
• Freshman McKenna Johnson is 5-5 from the stripe, she had four against Central Connecticut State and one against Vermont
(info and stock photo courtesy of Gopher Sports)
