Gophers Strike Early to Win WNIT Game
March 22, 2019

The University of Minnesota women’s basketball team opened the WNIT tournament with a 91-75 win over Northern Iowa at Williams Arena before a crowd announced at as 2,549 fans.

The Gophers opened a commanding early lead over the Panthers then held on to withstand a furious comeback by the visitors.

A Destiny Pitts three-point basket resulted in a 16-4 first-quarter lead. A Kenisha Bell jumper made it 18-6, and another Pitts three-pointer increased the lead to 24-6. Taiye Bello scored with one second showing on the clock, and Minnesota led by 30 to 11.

Statistics revealed that the Gophers made 11 of 14 shots in the period, five of them three-point baskets. The Panthers were stumbling around the court in a semi-conscious state.

Northern Iowa could not overcome that early disaster, although the Panthers did manage to score 17 points in the second period. It was not enough. Minnesota scored 22 for a 52-28 halftime lead.

The Gophers did cool down in the second half of the game, possibly due to a lack of interest in the proceedings. Audience members spent the remainder of the game chatting with neighbors. The lack of a pep band dulled enthusiasm.

Meanwhile, the Panthers were slowly chipping away at the deficit. The Iowans scored 21 points in the third period to 18 for the Gophers. Things really got serious in the final period when the crowd was brought back to reality after a three-pointer by reserve Alyssa Iverson cut Minnesota’s lead to 77-69. But baskets by Bell and Pitts righted things, and the Gophers coasted from there.

Pitts led all scorers with 29 points (including five 3-point baskets). Bell followed with 22 points.

Karli Rucker, a 5-6 sophomore guard out of Eldridge, Iowa, led the Panthers with 26 points, including four 3-pointers.

“We have players,” said Minnesota coach Lindsay Whalen afterward, “who like to spend a lot of time shooting the ball.”