Gophers Handle Michigan; Host No. 10 MSU

The Gopher women’s basketball team defeated Big 10 cellar-dweller Michigan Sunday, 76-55, in a tune-up for a showdown 7 p.m. Thursday at Williams Arena against Michigan State.

Gopher All-American Janel McCarville utilized her strength advantage inside to score 21 points and grab 15 rebounds. The Gophers (18-4, 8-2) also got major contributions from their bench players. Liz Podominick (14 points), Kelly Roysland (12 points), Katie Alsdurf (6 points), and Lauren Lacey (4 points) all stepped up when starters Shannon Bolden got in early foul trouble and Jamie Broback turned her ankle in the 1st half.

Roysland made 6 of 6 free throws to set a school record for consecutive free throws made at 31. Broback returned to play 7 minutes in the 2nd half.

Michigan fell to 5-17 overall and 1-10 in the Big 10.

Michigan State. The Gophers seek to avenge a January 16 loss to Michigan State when they host the Spartans (20-3, 9-2) on Thursday. MSU trails conference-leading Ohio State by a half-game. The Gophers are a full game back.

In the earlier game against MSU in East Lansing, the Gophers were behind by only 23-21 at the half, however they were outplayed and outscored 39-28 in the 2nd half. Guard Lindsay Bowen led the Spartans with 20 points, 17 in the 2nd half. MSU post player Kelli Roehrig held her own against McCarville with 11 points and 9 rebounds. McCarville recorded 14 points and 15 rebounds, but Roehrig forced her outside the lane for much of the game.

Notes and Observations:

• Go Figure. Tanisha Wright lit up the Gophers for 32 points in Penn State’s recent win over the Gophers. The Big 10’s leading scorer was held to only 6 points Sunday as her team lost 50-44 to Purdue to fall out of 1st place. Wright shot only 2 of 15 from the field.
• Thursday’s game at Williams Arena features the 2 Big 10 Co-Players of the Week: Liz Shimek of MSU and the Gophers’ McCarville. Shimek won this award for the 1st time, averaging 21.5 points and 7.5 rebounds in 2 games. McCarville received her 6th Player of the Week award, averaging 18.5 points and 11.5 rebounds. McCarville made 17 of her 23 field goal attempts last week, shooting 73.9 percent from the field. Former Gopher Lindsay Whalen has the most Gopher Player of the Week awards in her career with 9.
• Gopher freshman Natasha Williams missed her 3rd straight game Sunday due to illness.

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