Gophers women defeat Badgers
Published 3:09 am Friday, March 7, 2014
INDIANAPOLIS — Rachel Banham scored 22 points Thursday night, including 10 of 10 free throws, as Minnesota rallied to beat Wisconsin 74-68 in overtime to win their opening-round Big Ten Conference tournament game.
The No. 6 seeded Golden Gophers (20-11) will face the winner of Friday’s game between No. 5 seeded Iowa and No. 4 seeded Purdue. Iowa beat Illinois 81-62 Thursday to advance.
Minnesota used a 7-2 run to take a 68-63 lead in overtime, then Banham made four free throws in the final 8 seconds to clinch the win.
Kayla Hirt scored 14, Amanda Zahui 12 and Stabresa McDaniel 10 for the Golden Gophers.
Michala Johnson led the No. 11 seeded Badgers with 19, Morgan Paige had 16, and Taylor Wurtz 13.
Wisconsin (10-19) led 35-21 at halftime, and led 61-58 in the second after free throws by Paige, but Banham tied it with a 3 at the end of regulation.