Ignatius L Hoops
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http://www.startribune.com/former-h...gophers-women-s-basketball-players/411019015/
For the past five years, when Whitney Tinjum and Bryanna Fernstrom thought of Williams Arena, they associated it with the end of a productive partnership. The former prep teammates said goodbye to one another at the U's ancient arena in 2012, after playing their last game together with Chisago Lakes High School in the Class 3A girls' basketball quarterfinals.
Neither of them expected to team up again, much less at Williams. Even now, months after they reunited as part of the Gophers' roster, they still find it a little hard to believe.
"It's kind of weird, seeing us both here,'' Fernstrom said. "But it's awesome that we both ended up back in our home state.''
The longtime friends transferred to the U last year, giving them one final season together before life separates them again. Tinjum, a fifth-year senior from Stacy, will finish her college career with the Gophers this season after playing for Bradley and Washington State. Fernstrom, a junior from Center City, spent 1½ seasons at Iowa State and sat out a year — as required by NCAA rules — before becoming eligible last month.
Both are making the most of their time with the Gophers, who resume Big Ten play Wednesday against Illinois at Williams Arena. The 6-5 Fernstrom is averaging a team-high 8.2 rebounds and has blocked 17 shots in five games. Tinjum, a 6-1 power forward, is one of the Gophers' most accurate shooters and is averaging 6.8 points and 19 minutes per game.
For the past five years, when Whitney Tinjum and Bryanna Fernstrom thought of Williams Arena, they associated it with the end of a productive partnership. The former prep teammates said goodbye to one another at the U's ancient arena in 2012, after playing their last game together with Chisago Lakes High School in the Class 3A girls' basketball quarterfinals.
Neither of them expected to team up again, much less at Williams. Even now, months after they reunited as part of the Gophers' roster, they still find it a little hard to believe.
"It's kind of weird, seeing us both here,'' Fernstrom said. "But it's awesome that we both ended up back in our home state.''
The longtime friends transferred to the U last year, giving them one final season together before life separates them again. Tinjum, a fifth-year senior from Stacy, will finish her college career with the Gophers this season after playing for Bradley and Washington State. Fernstrom, a junior from Center City, spent 1½ seasons at Iowa State and sat out a year — as required by NCAA rules — before becoming eligible last month.
Both are making the most of their time with the Gophers, who resume Big Ten play Wednesday against Illinois at Williams Arena. The 6-5 Fernstrom is averaging a team-high 8.2 rebounds and has blocked 17 shots in five games. Tinjum, a 6-1 power forward, is one of the Gophers' most accurate shooters and is averaging 6.8 points and 19 minutes per game.
