Banham Scores 29 but Michigan Defeats Gophers

Ann Arbor, MI ( Gophersports.com ) - Rachel Banham’s 29 points and near triple-double were not enough as the Gophers lost 92-76 at Michigan Sunday.

The Gophers held the lead after the first quarter, but Michigan took the lead in the second and Minnesota would recover it only briefly later in the game.

Banham had nine rebounds and eight assists to go with her 29 points. Shayne Mullaney and Carlie Wagner joined Banham and Hedstrom in double figures with 13 and 12 points, respectively, in the Gophers' first loss in two-plus weeks.

Hallie Thome led the Wolverines with 31 points, and Katelynn Flaherty had 24. Michigan shot 48.5 percent to Minnesota’s 39 percent. The Wolverines went 25-of-31 from the free throw line and had two more rebounds than the Gophers with 44.

HOW IT HAPPENED

First Quarter: Banham scored Minnesota’s first seven points of the game, and Joanna Hedstrom nailed a trio of 3-pointers in the second half of the period. Hedstrom’s first triple put Minnesota ahead 10-8. Michigan would tie it again, but the Gophers never trailed the rest of the period. They led 22-16 after a stop on the Wolverines’ last possession.

Second Quarter: The Gophers led by seven after a Mullaney 3-pointer early in the quarter. Michigan trimmed Minnesota’s advantage to 29-27 at the media timeout and had a 44-39 lead at halftime, outscoring the Gophers 28-17 in the period. Mullaney led Minnesota with nine points in the quarter and had 11 at the half. Banham had 15 points at halftime. Thome led the Wolverines with 18 points in the first half.

Third Quarter: The Gophers briefly took the lead back about halfway through the third when a Banham basket made it 53-52. Michigan built the lead back to nine points on a Flaherty 3-pointer. Minnesota made one of its last eight shots in the quarter and trailed 64-55.

Fourth Quarter: Michigan led by 11 before the Gophers cut it to two points. Wagner made a 3-pointer, and Hedstrom made her fifth. Banham scored four times in the first half of the quarter, but Flaherty scored three of the Wolverines’ baskets in a row to help them rebuild the lead.

MORE NOTES

*Banham passed Dawn Evans (James Madison) and Alana Beard (Duke) on the NCAA all-time scoring list. She has 2,689 career points.

*Banham has scored 20 or more points in nine consecutive games and in 19 this season.

*Mullaney scored in double figures for the fifth straight game and the eighth time in 10 Big Ten games this season.

*Jessie Edwards had two blocks, her seventh game with multiple swats.

*The Gophers made eight 3-pointers to Michigan’s two, but at a 25-percent success rate. Minnesota has made more 3-pointers than its opponent in 14 games this year.

UP NEXT

Minnesota returns to Williams Arena to play Rutgers. Fans are encouraged to wear gold to the game on Thursday, Feb. 4.