There were 2 games at Williams Arena tonight. Unfortunately, the one where Iowa shot out the lights and the Gophers did not, well, that one accounted for three quarters of the game. The one where the Gophers were able to turn Iowa over a little and to get running, that one only lasted for one quarter. The result was an 81-63 drubbing in which the Gophers were outscored 49-23 in the 2nd half.
Iowa shot 61 percent from the field, including a respectable 38 percent on 3s and a killer 71 percent from 2 point range. The Gophers shot 37 percent from the field, 21 percent on 3s and 46 percent on 2s. Iowa also shot 80 percent from the line, the Gophers and underwhelming 56 percent.
Iowa took the early lead as Megan Gustafson scored 10 of the Hawkeyes first 12 points. Iowa led 20-14 late in the 1st when the Gophers started to double down on Gustafson a little more aggressively, and suddenly they were within 20-19. The 2nd quarter was mostly Gophers as Gustafson and Iowa turned it over a few times, the Gophers got some fast break baskets, and Minnesota led 40-32 at the half.
But Iowa roared out to a 10-1 start in the 2nd half, wiping out the Gophers lead. The Gophers scored to lead again at 43-42, but that would be their last lead. The Hawkeyes quit turning it over and started controlling the defensive boards. Overall, the Gophers got 11 more FGA than Iowa but all of that was in the 1st half. With both teams taking about the same number of shots in the 2nd, and with Iowa outshooting the Gophers by almost 30 percent, it was no contest.
Whatever you've heard about Megan Gustafson, she's better than that. She is extremely quick and active for a 6-4 player. She gets open, her teammates get her the ball where she wants it, and she doesn't miss with the left hand. After that, the Gophers matched up with Iowa OK, though frankly we didn't have an obvious advantage anywhere either. But, with Gustafson as the difference-maker, Iowa was not going to lose to a Gopher team that shot 37 percent.
The Gophers offense is just not very good. Bell gets into the lane for layups and ten-footers but even then her shooting percentage is not great. Destiny Pitts hit some 3s in the 1st half but Iowa did a lot better guarding her on the 3-point line in the 2nd, and she's not going to drive by anybody, nor is there anybody breaking into the lane for a pass. Taiye Bello remains one of the greatest rebounders I've ever seen, but her offense beyond layup range is limited. Jasmine Brunson has had some good games, but this was not one of them. And Annalese Lamke has had some good games, but against Megan Gustafson, that wasn't going to happen either.
The Gophers did end up with those 11 extra FGA because they got 17 offensive boards to just 6 for Iowa but, hey, we missed 41 shots. They missed 20. But, we also turned it over less than Iowa did, surprisingly. But the bottom line is that Minnesota needs to raise its FG percentage about 10 points the rest of the way if they're going to make any kind of run at the NCAA tournament.
Right now there is hardly a Big 10 game on the schedule that the Gophers can't win. I mean, the schedule is not that tough. But there is also hardly a Big 10 game on the schedule that the Gophers can't lose if they keep shooting 37 percent. Next up--at Wisconsin, at Nebraska, and Purdue at home. Win those are we're back to 4-4, and you can start planning your next move. But if the Gophers do not at least split their next 4, it's all over but the shouting.
Player of the Day--Kenisha Bell
Team of the Day--North Central University. The Rams defeated Mount Mary 62-52 to run their record to 9-6.
Coach--Paul Brunner, North Central
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