The Minnesota women’s basketball team shot 54.5 percent from three-point range on the way to an 81-52 win against the Eastern Illinois Panthers at home Wednesday. The Golden Gophers improve to 6-0 on the season while the Panthers drop to 0-4.
The Maroon and Gold had three players score in double figures, led by Grace Grocholski, who had 16 points and two steals. Annika Stewart added 14 points off of the bench and Tori McKinney helped out with 14 points.
Minnesota out-rebounded Eastern Illinois 34-29 in Wednesday’s game, paced by five boards from Mallory Heyer.
The Minnesota defense was effective at taking away the basketball in Wednesday’s game, forcing 18 Eastern Illinois turnovers while committing 10. Those takeaways turned into 11 points on the offensive end of the floor. Grocholski’s two steals led the way individually for the Gophers.
How It Happened
After jumping out to a 5-4 advantage, Minnesota went on a 7-0 run with 6:49 left in the first quarter, culminating in a bucket from Taylor Woodson, to increase its lead to 12-4. The Gophers then surrendered that lead and entered the second quarter down 18-17.
Minnesota chipped away at that deficit and built a 22-20 lead before going on a 15-0 run, highlighted by a bucket from Heyer, to increase its lead to 37-20. The Gophers proceeded to tack on five points to that lead and enjoyed a 46-24 advantage heading into halftime. Minnesota was strong from deep in the period, knocking down five three-point shots to account for 15 of its 29 points.
Following intermission, Minnesota continued to expand its advantage, pushing it to 61-37 before going on a 7-0 run, punctuated by a three from Stewart, to expand its lead further to 68-37 with 39 seconds to go in the third. Before the conclusion of the third period, the Panthers had cut into that lead somewhat, but the Gophers still entered the fourth quarter with a 68-40 edge. Minnesota knocked down four three-pointers in the quarter to score 12 of its 22 total points.
The Gophers coasted to the win from there, increasing their margin of victory by outscoring the Panthers 13-12 in the fourth quarter. Minnesota took advantage of five Eastern Illinois turnovers in the quarter, scoring four points off of those takeaways.
Game Notes
» The Gophers made over half of their attempts from three point range, knocking down 12 of 22 shots.
» The Gophers held the Panthers to only 40 percent shooting from the field.
» Minnesota never trailed in the second half on its way to victory.
» The Gophers shared the ball well, recording an assist on 73 percent of made baskets.
» Minnesota had a stellar day defensively, holding Eastern Illinois to 20 percent from three point land on 15 attempts.
» The Minnesota bench made an impact by scoring 30 points to its scoring output.
» Minnesota had a 34-29 edge on the boards in the win.
» The Minnesota defense forced 18 turnovers.
» Grace Grocholski led the Gophers with 16 points.
» Minnesota got a team-high five rebounds from Mallory Heyer.
(info and photo courtesy of Gopher Sports)
