Women’s NCAA Tourament: Minnesota Completes Comeback vs Green Bay
The Minnesota Golden Gophers used a second-half surge cleaning up first-half turnovers to beat Green Bay and move onto the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament.
The first game of the day at Matthew Knight Arena had the 7 seed facing the 10 seed for the chance to get to the Saturday Final. The Minnesota Golden Gophers met the Green Bay Phoenix. The first half saw Minnesota hit 38 percent from the floor and over 50 percent from three-point range. Despite solid numbers, the Golden Gophers had six turnovers that were turned into 10 points by Green Bay.
Green Bay shot 42 percent from the floor and just 45 percent from beyond the arc in the first half. Golden Gophers Destiny Pitts led all scorers with 12 points at the break. Minnesota was down 10 points. The Golden Gophers got back to within single digits in the third quarter and were down 62-50 with just over 2 minutes left in the 3rd Quarter.
As the Quarter came to an end, Minnesota hit five of eight shots down the floor pulling to within five points with 10 minutes remaining. The final quarter would be back and forth. Minnesota took the lead back with just over 7 minutes left with Kenisha Bell hitting two free throws and Gadiva Hubbard getting a layup to make it 69-66 before Allie LeClaire hit a three-pointer tying the game again.
Minnesota used momentum from midway through the third quarter to gut out a twelve point win, 89-77 vs Green Bay. It was the highest point total that the Phonix had given up in four seasons. Minnesota earned the chance to play on Saturday.
Destiny Pitts was 7 for 10 from the floor finishing with 20 points. Kenisha Bell hit 14 of 17 from the free throw line finishing with 26 points. Five Golden Gophers finished the game in double figures.
Next: MBB: Ducks Move On In NIT, Face Marquette
Minnesota faces the winner of Oregon and Seattle on Saturday. (Gametime to be determined)