Well, the Gopher women under coach Lindsay Whalen have now completed their non-conference season undefeated for just the 3rd time in program history. The previous occasions were in 2002-2003 and 2003-2004, which just happen to be Lindsay Whalen's junior and senior years as a Gopher guard. So, wow, what can you say except, please, God, can we keep this going a little longer?
Saturday night the Gophers didn't have too much trouble with the .500 Rams. Well, they led 19-17 early in the 2nd quarter, but a 17-0 run settled it over the next 7 minutes. Taiye Bello scored 8 points, Destiny Pitts 5, and freshman Mercedes Staples, who has found her rhythm and worked her way into the 6th player spot, hit a 3. Kenisha Bell added 2 during the run, though by the time it was all said and done she led all scorers with 28 points while also adding 7 boards, 9 assists and 2 steals.
Rhode Island got back within 12 at the half, and the Gophers responded by building the lead back up to 19 again at 58-39. Two minutes later it was 64-52. But a 9-0 run made it 73-52 and 8 minutes later it was 91-65.
Pitts scored 19, Bello had 16 with 15 boards and 5 steals, Annalese Lamke scored 14 and Staples had 7 points, 2 boards, 4 assists and 2 steals off the bench.
It has become apparent that coach Whalen doesn't intend to use her bench--this bench--a whole lot, and a lack of depth still looms as a possible weakness. We hope to see Gadiva Hubbard back and not just back, but back at full strength before too long.
But as things stand now, the Gophers can run and they can score mostly by getting to the rim, and they can turn people over. If Pitts is hitting from the outside, and if Staples continues to improve her mid and long-range shot, then, well, they're adequate from the outside. Bello can rebound with anybody though I'm not convinced they're a great defensive rebounding team. Can they get enough defensive stops against good teams when they don't necessarily turn 'em over? They've been good. They've been good.
But, as they head into the Big 10 season, well, do they have enough depth to deal with fouls and bad matchups? Can they survive if they're not hitting the 3? Can they hit the defensive board? I don't think they have any outright weaknesses, but are they good enough? We'll see. Please, God, can we keep this going a little bit longer?
Player of the Day--Kenisha Bell and Taiye Bello
Team of the Day--Gopher women
Coach of the Day--Lindsay Whalen, who else?
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