Rachel Banham scores 28 as Gophers get first Big Ten win
By Frank Bi
Following two straight loses to start the Big Ten season, the Gophers routed Northwestern on Sunday by 35 points as Rachel Banham added 28 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists, leading Minnesota to a 94-59 victory at Williams Arena.
Aside from being the Gophers’ first conference win of the season (following loses to Michigan State and Iowa) it was Minnesota’s 12th win of the year, which makes them one of only five teams in the conference with 12 wins or more.
The Gophers will go on the road for the next two games to face No. 16 Nebraska on Thursday and No. 22 Indiana on Sunday before returning home to host Wisconsin on Jan. 23.
Zahui just short of double-double
Redshirt freshman center Amanda Zahui was a point shy of yet another double-double. She finished the game with 13 rebounds, three blocks, and nine points. If you haven’t already heard, the Swede is quickly making a name for herself and is already being compared to former Gopher great Janel McCarville.
Most points scored since 2003
The 94 points scored on Sunday was the first time Minnesota had scored more than 90 since 2003, when McCarville and current Minnesota Lynx teammate Lindsey Whalen were running the pick and roll in Maroon and Gold. A year later, the 2003-04 Gophers team reached the NCAA Final Four.