BY MIKE PEDEN
If fans considered Minnesota's last season an aberration, they may remember the 2010-11 season as a contagion. The Gophers lost 65-51 to #8/10 Michigan State Sunday at Williams Arena, which will surely add concerns about the direction of the program.
And that's not taking the Big Ten Tournament into account, where Minnesota (12-17, 4-12) has not advanced past the first round since 2007. The Gophers would have to win the tournament championship to qualify for a post-season spot, which would be an automatic NCAA tournament bid.
With Minnesota dropping its fifth conference game after building a double-digit lead (12 in Sunday's loss), a reversal of that trend may be difficult.
"We played decent basketball for 30 minutes tonight," said Minnesota head coach Pam Borton. "Our passing was much to be desired. Our turnovers really fueled them offensively."
Michigan State (25-4, 13-3) took control in the final 13:24, limiting Minnesota to two field goals, forcing 22 turnovers for the game and ending the game with a 32-6 run.
Minnesota did play with life in the first half, outrebounding Michigan State 24-11, but Michigan State siphoned the hometown's energy with a 22-9 showing in rebounds for the second. Not even Katie Loberg's 19 points and seven rebounds were enough to stop the Big Ten front-runners.
Sparking the Big Ten regular season champions were Kalisha Keane and Lykendra Johnson, who scored 19 and 18 points respectively.
"(Minnesota) can put a team out there that's physically imposing," said Michigan State head coach Suzy Merchant. "We kept Lykendra out there and (moved) Porsche Poole to point guard because we just weren't getting enough offense. Porsche's performance really turned the tide for us."
Poole scored 10 points in 18 minutes for Michigan State.
Although the Spartans had locked up the regular season title last week, Merchant said the season-ending victory would keep their tournament resumé in solid shape when it comes to NCAA tournament seeding. No matter what happens in the Big Ten Tournament, Michigan State will earn a post-season berth.
"We needed to do it without Penn State beating Purdue for the outright championship. You don't want to give committees any opportunity to think you're not on track," she said.
Should Minnesota win its first round game against Northwestern on Thursday in Indianapolis, they would face Michigan State on Friday, who owns a first-round bye and the top seed in the conference tournament.
Borton believes her Gophers have the capability to threaten in the "last chance" tournament as the chemistry has improved, even if their record has little to show the bonding.
"They actually want to be around each other. I know this team knows they can play with anybody," she said.
In previous years, such statements from lower-tier teams would sound far-fetched. However, the Big Ten Conference has not seen any turnover in coaching for the last four years; head coaches understand how to approach each of their opponents. Since no one has to prepare for any new system, the chance of a lower team surprising a strong squad is higher than before.
"That gap has completely changed. The bottom and middle tier have come together," Merchant said.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Game 8: Humboldt vs. Highland Park
TSB Television took a trip to our other backyard in St. Paul to present a battle for 2nd place in the St. Paul City Conference. Humboldt visited Highland Park, seeking an answer for a 77-73 loss at Humboldt's home court, despite a 30-point showing from Angelina Hicks. Highland Park center Kionda Nicks has had her way in the paint against the small Humboldt roster and looked to continue her inside dominance.
Watch highlights, then tune in to GrandStadium.tv to watch the game in its entirety, including interviews with Humboldt's Angelina Hicks and Highland Park's Kionda Nicks.
Watch highlights, then tune in to GrandStadium.tv to watch the game in its entirety, including interviews with Humboldt's Angelina Hicks and Highland Park's Kionda Nicks.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Purdue's defense leaves Minnesota "boiling"
BY MIKE PEDEN
Following Sunday's loss to Ohio State, Minnesota head coach Pam Borton said her team figured out the ingredients to win games.
After Thursday night's 60-50 loss to Purdue at Williams Arena, the Minnesota coaching staff and fan base will be looking to make a few adjustments to their recipe.
Purdue (18-9, 8-6) was fueled by junior Brittany Rayburn's 27 points, with 17 coming in the second half. Rayburn kept pace with her outstanding free throw shooting, making 12 of 14. The Boilermakers finished the game with an 11-2 run and scored the game's final eight points.
While Purdue made just 35 percent of their field goals, their defensive presence was more than enough. Purdue blocked 10 Minnesota (11-15, 3-10) shots, limiting their opponent to 28 percent from the floor. To boot, the Gophers did not make a field goal in the final 8:35.
"They were bodying us up, and I think that bothered us," Borton said.
"It felt like they were crashing five at a time," said junior guard Jackie Voigt. "We miss one rebound and it was a scramble."
Junior forward Brianna Mastey tied her career high in the first half with 13 points, her first game in double-figures since January 2nd. Mastey set her new career best with 10:28 in the second half on a right-side runner and finished with 17 points.
Mastey's performance may be overshadowed by the continuing struggles of junior guard Kiara Buford. She scored eight points with half of them coming from the free throw line. On the floor, Buford made only two of 16 shots.
"Kiara's a great player when she's aggressive," Borton said. "She was a little timid tonight, especially defensively."
While a timid nature can not explain Buford's or the team's struggles as a whole throughout the last two seasons, Borton noted how opponents have defeated the Gophers recently by attacking the lane late in games while the Gophers often respond with contested jump shots.
"We didn't finish a lot of things tonight," she said.
Following Sunday's loss to Ohio State, Minnesota head coach Pam Borton said her team figured out the ingredients to win games.
After Thursday night's 60-50 loss to Purdue at Williams Arena, the Minnesota coaching staff and fan base will be looking to make a few adjustments to their recipe.
Purdue (18-9, 8-6) was fueled by junior Brittany Rayburn's 27 points, with 17 coming in the second half. Rayburn kept pace with her outstanding free throw shooting, making 12 of 14. The Boilermakers finished the game with an 11-2 run and scored the game's final eight points.
While Purdue made just 35 percent of their field goals, their defensive presence was more than enough. Purdue blocked 10 Minnesota (11-15, 3-10) shots, limiting their opponent to 28 percent from the floor. To boot, the Gophers did not make a field goal in the final 8:35.
"They were bodying us up, and I think that bothered us," Borton said.
"It felt like they were crashing five at a time," said junior guard Jackie Voigt. "We miss one rebound and it was a scramble."
Junior forward Brianna Mastey tied her career high in the first half with 13 points, her first game in double-figures since January 2nd. Mastey set her new career best with 10:28 in the second half on a right-side runner and finished with 17 points.
Mastey's performance may be overshadowed by the continuing struggles of junior guard Kiara Buford. She scored eight points with half of them coming from the free throw line. On the floor, Buford made only two of 16 shots.
"Kiara's a great player when she's aggressive," Borton said. "She was a little timid tonight, especially defensively."
While a timid nature can not explain Buford's or the team's struggles as a whole throughout the last two seasons, Borton noted how opponents have defeated the Gophers recently by attacking the lane late in games while the Gophers often respond with contested jump shots.
"We didn't finish a lot of things tonight," she said.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Game 7: Eden Prairie vs. Minneapolis South
This game wasn't on our schedule when we began the 2010-11 season, but we were fortunate to bring Eden Prairie and Minneapolis South's battle to you, and it lived up to the hype! TSB Television will return to Minneapolis South on February 26th to televise the annual Twin Cities Championship, and South will host by virtue of clinching the Minneapolis City Conference title, their 6th in the last 7 years. While you wait for our next game, Humboldt vs. Highland Park, check out highlights and visit GrandStadium.tv to watch the game in its entirety.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Ohio State "bucks" doubters while beating Gophers
BY MIKE PEDEN
Ohio State can almost always count on momentum when Minnesota is up on their schedule, they led the all-time series 49-10 heading in to Sunday's game at Williams Arena.
After a grueling duel, the Buckeyes chalked up win number 50 with an 83-76 victory, continuing their psychological stronghold over the Gophers.
"A lot of people were saying we are heartless when we're on the road," said Ohio State guard Tayler Hill. "We got up, we lost the lead, and then we came back."
Hill did not hesitate to respond to critics as Ohio State (15-9, 6-6) evened their conference record.
"It makes me want to kill every team we play. Any team, any player," she said.
"We're finding about our character right now. That is impacting us in a very positive way," said Ohio State head coach Jim Foster.
Senior center Jantel Lavender played her usual dominating game inside and finished with a game-high 29 points, adding nine rebounds. She became Ohio State's all-time leading scorer with a transition lay-up at the 16:28 mark in the second half, besting Katie Smith's record of 2,578 points.
To boot, Lavender broke the NCAA record for most consecutive games in double-figures, marking her 126th.
"It's a milestone in my career I won't ever forget. The reason I can score is because of my teammates and my coaches having in faith in me to be a go-to player," she said.
Although Lavender will not likely surpass Connecticut's Maya Moore for the all-time NCAA scoring record, she will present a challenge for any future Buckeye to break the school record with a few games left to pad her lead. Foster believes Lavender has not made her last collegiate impression.
"Someone that's scored double-figures every time she's walked on the court, when most defenses are working on stopping you, that speaks volumes," he said.
For most of the game, both teams essentially canceled each other out, with Minnesota (11-14, 3-9) out-rebounding Ohio State 40-32 while Ohio State forced 16 turnovers to Minnesota's seven.
While early nerves kept the Gophers from leading in the first half, they tied seven times with the Buckeyes, including the halftime break with the score 36-36.
Minnesota would tie two more times until a Jackie Voigt three-pointer gave the home team their first lead at 43-42 early in the second half, and that set the stage for a back-and-forth fight throughout the second.
Ohio State could not relax until the final minute, but the key moment was junior guard Samantha Prahalis draining a three-pointer to break a 71-71 tie with 2:18 left, bothering a young Minnesota team just enough to seal a win.
"In the last three minutes of the game, we did not have an answer for Tayler Hill penetrating to the basket," said Minnesota head coach Pam Borton.
Hill, the all-time leading high school scorer in Minnesota history, flashed a few moves she was known for while playing at Minneapolis South. Hill scored 19 points for the game and sank eight free throws in the final 3:07.
"We're one of the only teams on a daily basis that works on free throws," she said. "It was just like practice."
The stamina Hill developed playing almost every minute at South also proved useful, as she played all 40 minutes against Minnesota.
Although Hill can log large blocks of time, the adversity facing Ohio State this year is an obstacle she never faced at South, even as her high school rival, Minnesota guard Kiara Buford, won two state championships against Hill's old South team.
"In high school, I wasn't challenged every day. The competition wasn't there," she said. "In practice, there's drills we do called 'and two.' No breaks. Time and time up and down the court."
Buford led Minnesota in scoring with 23 points and made her last 10 free throws after missing her first four.
"I promised myself after that fourth one that I wasn't going to miss any more," she said.
Team chemistry is also no longer missing for the Gophers, even though expectations may not be high when the Big Ten tournament begins. That did not make Borton any less proud for her team's fight against the Buckeyes.
"We have figured out the ingredients to win basketball games," she said.
Ohio State can almost always count on momentum when Minnesota is up on their schedule, they led the all-time series 49-10 heading in to Sunday's game at Williams Arena.
After a grueling duel, the Buckeyes chalked up win number 50 with an 83-76 victory, continuing their psychological stronghold over the Gophers.
"A lot of people were saying we are heartless when we're on the road," said Ohio State guard Tayler Hill. "We got up, we lost the lead, and then we came back."
Hill did not hesitate to respond to critics as Ohio State (15-9, 6-6) evened their conference record.
"It makes me want to kill every team we play. Any team, any player," she said.
"We're finding about our character right now. That is impacting us in a very positive way," said Ohio State head coach Jim Foster.
Senior center Jantel Lavender played her usual dominating game inside and finished with a game-high 29 points, adding nine rebounds. She became Ohio State's all-time leading scorer with a transition lay-up at the 16:28 mark in the second half, besting Katie Smith's record of 2,578 points.
To boot, Lavender broke the NCAA record for most consecutive games in double-figures, marking her 126th.
"It's a milestone in my career I won't ever forget. The reason I can score is because of my teammates and my coaches having in faith in me to be a go-to player," she said.
Although Lavender will not likely surpass Connecticut's Maya Moore for the all-time NCAA scoring record, she will present a challenge for any future Buckeye to break the school record with a few games left to pad her lead. Foster believes Lavender has not made her last collegiate impression.
"Someone that's scored double-figures every time she's walked on the court, when most defenses are working on stopping you, that speaks volumes," he said.
For most of the game, both teams essentially canceled each other out, with Minnesota (11-14, 3-9) out-rebounding Ohio State 40-32 while Ohio State forced 16 turnovers to Minnesota's seven.
While early nerves kept the Gophers from leading in the first half, they tied seven times with the Buckeyes, including the halftime break with the score 36-36.
Minnesota would tie two more times until a Jackie Voigt three-pointer gave the home team their first lead at 43-42 early in the second half, and that set the stage for a back-and-forth fight throughout the second.
Ohio State could not relax until the final minute, but the key moment was junior guard Samantha Prahalis draining a three-pointer to break a 71-71 tie with 2:18 left, bothering a young Minnesota team just enough to seal a win.
"In the last three minutes of the game, we did not have an answer for Tayler Hill penetrating to the basket," said Minnesota head coach Pam Borton.
Hill, the all-time leading high school scorer in Minnesota history, flashed a few moves she was known for while playing at Minneapolis South. Hill scored 19 points for the game and sank eight free throws in the final 3:07.
"We're one of the only teams on a daily basis that works on free throws," she said. "It was just like practice."
The stamina Hill developed playing almost every minute at South also proved useful, as she played all 40 minutes against Minnesota.
Although Hill can log large blocks of time, the adversity facing Ohio State this year is an obstacle she never faced at South, even as her high school rival, Minnesota guard Kiara Buford, won two state championships against Hill's old South team.
"In high school, I wasn't challenged every day. The competition wasn't there," she said. "In practice, there's drills we do called 'and two.' No breaks. Time and time up and down the court."
Buford led Minnesota in scoring with 23 points and made her last 10 free throws after missing her first four.
"I promised myself after that fourth one that I wasn't going to miss any more," she said.
Team chemistry is also no longer missing for the Gophers, even though expectations may not be high when the Big Ten tournament begins. That did not make Borton any less proud for her team's fight against the Buckeyes.
"We have figured out the ingredients to win basketball games," she said.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Game 6: North St. Paul vs. Richfield
TSB Television was on hand for a thrilling game at Richfield High School in a Classic Suburban Conference match between the hometown Spartans and North St. Paul Polars. North St. Paul was 1 game behind Hill-Murray for the conference lead and used their stifling defense to upset Richfield in overtime in the first meeting of the series at North St. Paul. Jessica January and her Spartans sought to outlast the Polar defense and prevent a series sweep.
Watch the highlights here, then visit GrandStadium.tv to watch the game in its entirety!
Watch the highlights here, then visit GrandStadium.tv to watch the game in its entirety!
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Game 5: Highland Park vs. Como Park
We just finished a thrilling game between North Saint Paul and Richfield, but while you wait, check out our first boys game of the season as we feature Highland Park and Como Park dueling it out in a St. Paul City Conference game. To watch the game in full, visit GrandStadium.tv and enjoy a fast-paced game!
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Gophers "board" up first conference win streak
BY MIKE PEDEN
Gophers head coach Pam Borton said her team forgot what it felt like to a win a game after the Gophers defeated Northwestern Thursday night. Now Minnesota will have to remember what a winning streak feels like after they scraped out a 60-50 win over Michigan Sunday at Williams Arena.
No player scored more than 13 points for the game, but Minnesota (10-12, 2-7) once again took advantage of out-rebounding their opponent, 42-31 in this case. Freshman forward Kionna Kellogg scooped 13 of those and tied her career high in points with 8.
"We were getting outrebounded at halftime because she was on the bench," Borton said. "She brings us a lot of toughness."
The rest of the Gophers followed suit, as they held together to prevent another double-digit lead from fading at home.
Minnesota began in front as they found success early by attacking the lane and draining several threes, sinking nine of their first 14 field goals. Their touch on pull-up jumpers faded midway through the first, and Minnesota finished the first half making only two of their last 15 attempts. Although that funk kept Michigan (13-8, 6-3) within striking distance, Michigan only shot 28 percent from the floor in the first and faced a 31-22 deficit at halftime.
Michigan trimmed the lead as Minnesota's struggles from the floor persisted. Twice in the second half, the Wolverines pulled within 1 and had two chances to tie the game with a three-pointer. After Michigan center Rachel Sheffer missed the second try with five minutes to go, Minnesota guard China Antoine changed the momentum with a lay-up on the other end. Michigan would not come within one possession for the remainder of the game. Not even Katie Loberg and Kiara Buford fouling out affected Minnesota's odds of notching their first conference winning streak as they won the subsequent round of foul-and-chase.
"China was a great leader. She's taken a lot of pride to being our hound on the ball," Borton said.
"We had good shot selection, moved the ball where we wanted to move in the second half. Just didn't make them," said Michigan head coach Kevin Borseth.
While the Gophers are still far behind the Big Ten leaders, their defeat of the Wolverines knocked them out of a first-place tie with Penn State and Wisconsin in the conference standings. Borseth went to his 29 years of experience to address the Wolverines about the implications.
"You lost the game, don't lose the lesson," he said. "I told the kids at the beginning of the year they'd be lucky to win one game. So far, they've won 13."
Gophers head coach Pam Borton said her team forgot what it felt like to a win a game after the Gophers defeated Northwestern Thursday night. Now Minnesota will have to remember what a winning streak feels like after they scraped out a 60-50 win over Michigan Sunday at Williams Arena.
No player scored more than 13 points for the game, but Minnesota (10-12, 2-7) once again took advantage of out-rebounding their opponent, 42-31 in this case. Freshman forward Kionna Kellogg scooped 13 of those and tied her career high in points with 8.
"We were getting outrebounded at halftime because she was on the bench," Borton said. "She brings us a lot of toughness."
The rest of the Gophers followed suit, as they held together to prevent another double-digit lead from fading at home.
Minnesota began in front as they found success early by attacking the lane and draining several threes, sinking nine of their first 14 field goals. Their touch on pull-up jumpers faded midway through the first, and Minnesota finished the first half making only two of their last 15 attempts. Although that funk kept Michigan (13-8, 6-3) within striking distance, Michigan only shot 28 percent from the floor in the first and faced a 31-22 deficit at halftime.
Michigan trimmed the lead as Minnesota's struggles from the floor persisted. Twice in the second half, the Wolverines pulled within 1 and had two chances to tie the game with a three-pointer. After Michigan center Rachel Sheffer missed the second try with five minutes to go, Minnesota guard China Antoine changed the momentum with a lay-up on the other end. Michigan would not come within one possession for the remainder of the game. Not even Katie Loberg and Kiara Buford fouling out affected Minnesota's odds of notching their first conference winning streak as they won the subsequent round of foul-and-chase.
"China was a great leader. She's taken a lot of pride to being our hound on the ball," Borton said.
"We had good shot selection, moved the ball where we wanted to move in the second half. Just didn't make them," said Michigan head coach Kevin Borseth.
While the Gophers are still far behind the Big Ten leaders, their defeat of the Wolverines knocked them out of a first-place tie with Penn State and Wisconsin in the conference standings. Borseth went to his 29 years of experience to address the Wolverines about the implications.
"You lost the game, don't lose the lesson," he said. "I told the kids at the beginning of the year they'd be lucky to win one game. So far, they've won 13."
Friday, January 28, 2011
Game 4: Hill-Murray vs. Richfield
TSB Television added a bonus game to its coverage this season, when #1AAA Hill-Murray battled #6AAA Richfield in a big Classic Suburban Conference battle. Future Iowa Hawkeye Bethany Doolittle scored her 1,000th career point while Hill-Murray teammate Tessa Cichy made the flashy baskets. On the other side, Richfield sophomore Jessica January dazzled the crowd with her acrobatics. The highlights are below, but if you want to watch the game in its entirety, you have to visit GrandStadium.tv!
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Gophers crack egg in win column over Northwestern
BY MIKE PEDEN
RealTime RPI will have to make a few adjustments for Minnesota's status.
Minnesota defied RealTime RPI's prediction of a loss to Northwestern with a 63-58 win Thursday night at Williams Arena, snapping their seven-game losing streak and recharging a restless fan base.
Sophomore forward Katie Loberg fueled the charge with 21 points and seven offensive rebounds before fouling out late, but the game ball may be awarded to freshman forward Kionna Kellogg, whose persistence resulted in a hard-earned eight points and 15 rebounds.
"I owe that to my teammates, who were finding me the open spots," Loberg said.
"They've had a great attitude up to this point," Gophers head coach Pam Borton said. "(Kionna's) skills are catching up. She's playing hard and playing tough."
Overall, the game stayed on script with the series over the last few years, where the score is close and opportunities are limited.
Minnesota (9-12, 1-7) was hesitant on both sides to begin the game, passing the ball yet unable to find a clean look while yielding 13 free throws to an attacking Northwestern (14-7, 3-5) team, who made 11. Those traits, all too common in their seven-game losing streak, kept the 2,891 in attendance quiet in the first 20 minutes. Adding further anxiety was Minnesota going 0-for-3 from the free throw line in the first.
"One of the keys was not fouling and putting them on the line," Borton said. "(Northwestern) really clogged the paint and we took some tough shots."
The story flipped in the second half, with the Gophers beating the Wildcats in the transition game. The key moment came with 8:49 left in the second, when Minnesota trailed 41-40. The Gophers slowly answered with a 12-3 run, and that turned out to be the push they needed.
One more nail-biter came when junior guard Jackie Voigt missed the back end of free throws with 14 seconds left, giving Northwestern a chance to force overtime, only needing a three-pointer. Daninielle Daimant had an open look, but missed, and senior guard China Antoine got the rebound and made two free throws to ice Minnesota's first Big Ten Conference win.
"When you watch them on tape, they're a dangerous team," said Northwestern head coach Jim McKeown.
In the process, the Gophers forced the Wildcats' Meshia Reed and Allison Mocchi to foul out while sinking 18 of 22 free throws in the second half. Northwestern did sink nine of 14 free throws in the second, but Minnesota's 46-34 edge in rebounds nullified that advantage. That included an early second half possession where Minnesota picked up six offensive rebounds.
"They're padding their own stats," Borton joked. Eight of Kellogg's 15 rebounds were on the offensive side of the glass.
"Everybody went off the bench and I didn't even know what to do," said junior guard Kiara Buford on her team's reaction as time expired.
Buford, who made six of 38 shots in her last three home games, had a cathartic performance after a slow start. While her 5-of-11 shooting would be considered standard, she finished with 18 points and made all eight free throws in the second half.
"Bringing the transition, a strength of my game, and having one or two people back, I thought I was pretty good at drawing fouls," Buford said.
Northwestern's Amy Jaeschke played to her All-American candidate form, scoring a game-high 26 points on 8-of-16 shooting, showcasing her range that has attracted national attention. However, she was the only Northwestern player in double-figures, as the rest of the team made 26 percent of their shots.
"Minnesota outhustled us tonight, got the loose balls. You give up 21 offensive rebounds, you don't deserve to win," McKeown said.
RealTime RPI will have to make a few adjustments for Minnesota's status.
Minnesota defied RealTime RPI's prediction of a loss to Northwestern with a 63-58 win Thursday night at Williams Arena, snapping their seven-game losing streak and recharging a restless fan base.
Sophomore forward Katie Loberg fueled the charge with 21 points and seven offensive rebounds before fouling out late, but the game ball may be awarded to freshman forward Kionna Kellogg, whose persistence resulted in a hard-earned eight points and 15 rebounds.
"I owe that to my teammates, who were finding me the open spots," Loberg said.
"They've had a great attitude up to this point," Gophers head coach Pam Borton said. "(Kionna's) skills are catching up. She's playing hard and playing tough."
Overall, the game stayed on script with the series over the last few years, where the score is close and opportunities are limited.
Minnesota (9-12, 1-7) was hesitant on both sides to begin the game, passing the ball yet unable to find a clean look while yielding 13 free throws to an attacking Northwestern (14-7, 3-5) team, who made 11. Those traits, all too common in their seven-game losing streak, kept the 2,891 in attendance quiet in the first 20 minutes. Adding further anxiety was Minnesota going 0-for-3 from the free throw line in the first.
"One of the keys was not fouling and putting them on the line," Borton said. "(Northwestern) really clogged the paint and we took some tough shots."
The story flipped in the second half, with the Gophers beating the Wildcats in the transition game. The key moment came with 8:49 left in the second, when Minnesota trailed 41-40. The Gophers slowly answered with a 12-3 run, and that turned out to be the push they needed.
One more nail-biter came when junior guard Jackie Voigt missed the back end of free throws with 14 seconds left, giving Northwestern a chance to force overtime, only needing a three-pointer. Daninielle Daimant had an open look, but missed, and senior guard China Antoine got the rebound and made two free throws to ice Minnesota's first Big Ten Conference win.
"When you watch them on tape, they're a dangerous team," said Northwestern head coach Jim McKeown.
In the process, the Gophers forced the Wildcats' Meshia Reed and Allison Mocchi to foul out while sinking 18 of 22 free throws in the second half. Northwestern did sink nine of 14 free throws in the second, but Minnesota's 46-34 edge in rebounds nullified that advantage. That included an early second half possession where Minnesota picked up six offensive rebounds.
"They're padding their own stats," Borton joked. Eight of Kellogg's 15 rebounds were on the offensive side of the glass.
"Everybody went off the bench and I didn't even know what to do," said junior guard Kiara Buford on her team's reaction as time expired.
Buford, who made six of 38 shots in her last three home games, had a cathartic performance after a slow start. While her 5-of-11 shooting would be considered standard, she finished with 18 points and made all eight free throws in the second half.
"Bringing the transition, a strength of my game, and having one or two people back, I thought I was pretty good at drawing fouls," Buford said.
Northwestern's Amy Jaeschke played to her All-American candidate form, scoring a game-high 26 points on 8-of-16 shooting, showcasing her range that has attracted national attention. However, she was the only Northwestern player in double-figures, as the rest of the team made 26 percent of their shots.
"Minnesota outhustled us tonight, got the loose balls. You give up 21 offensive rebounds, you don't deserve to win," McKeown said.
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Autism: The Wall That Knows No Limits - Award-winning documentary series providing insights on autism rarely seen in contemporary media. Produced by someone on the spectrum, this series is a wealth of information for anyone seeking to learn about autism.
$15 for one episode, $50 for the complete series (4 episodes)
What Are You? A Dialogue on Mixed Race - Originally a school assignment, this one-hour documentary explores a population that existed for many years but didn't get much focus until recently. This program examines how a small but growing segment of the population could shift racial and cultural identity. Screened at the 2009 Mixed Roots Film and Literary Festival and will be screened at the inaugural Critical Mixed Race Studies conference at DePaul University. $15
From Vices to Verses: Featuring Voices Merging - From Vices to Verses: A New Era of Hip Hop and Action is a biannual conference held at the University of Minnesota. The goal is to promote the culture and history of hip-hop, which is often lost in the corporate mainstream representation. In this program, you'll see how the Voices Merging student group absorbed what they witnessed and how their experience will transform them as a group and as individuals. DVD copies come with 14 minutes of bonus footage not seen online or on TV. $15
Minnesota Machine: 2010 - Geared for Greatness - Join the professional women's football team in their historic 2nd season. Despite several injuries that depleted the roster, the Machine finished 2010 with a 6-3 record and their first division title in franchise history, edging the Iowa Thunder in the Midwest Division of the American Conference. This highlight reel includes clips from the 2010 season and their interview on the cable television show Rollin' and Tumblin' - $15
Silhouettes by RZI Couture - The inaugural breast cancer benefit fashion premiere took place in St. Paul and was met with a fabulous response. All the models were breast cancer survivors or relatives of someone affected by breast cancer and all the clothing was designed by Rosalyn Smaller, owner of RZI Couture and currently fighting breast cancer herself. The TV version features testimonials from the models and co-host Miss Georgia of KMOJ. $10 of every purchase will be donated to RZI Couture to help the breast cancer fight! $15