Gophers Start Strong and Cruise Past Kent State

(Gophersports.com) -- Minnesota closed out the non-conference schedule with a commanding 92-62 win against Kent State. The Golden Gophers finished non-league play with a 9-4 record, including a 7-1 mark at home.

Kenisha Bell led five Gophers in double figures, with 20 points on 10-of-15 shooting. She added seven assists and four steals. Whitney Tinjum, Joanna Hedstrom and Allina Starr each had season highs with 18, 17 and 13 points, respectively. Carlie Wagner added 13 points. She and Tinjum each made three 3-pointers.

Minnesota shot 50.7 percent, its best field goal percentage in a game this season. The Gopher defense held the Golden Flashes (6-6) to 27.8 percent from the field, including a 1-for-20, two-point first quarter. Minnesota scored 46 points in the paint, and 28 points off turnovers.

Megan Carter had 13 points to lead Kent State and McKenna Stephens had 12. The Golden Flashes went 1-of-16 from 3-point range while the Gophers made of 8 of their 19 attempts. Each team had 50 rebounds.