Gophers Conclude Non-Conference Play With Two More Wins

MINNEAPOLIS – (Gophersports.com)Behind a double-double with a career-high 27 points, 13 rebounds and 6 blocks from Amanda Zahui B., the University of Minnesota (11-1) women's basketball team defeated Central Michigan (4-5), 67-64, Sunday afternoon at Williams Arena to conclude the Subway Classic.

With the win, Minnesota will enter conference play with an 11-1 record, its best start since the 2003-04 season when the Gophers went 15-1 to start their journey to the Final Four.

Zahui scored the last ten points of the game for the Gophers, marking her eighth double-double of the season. In the second half, Zahui played all 20 minutes and contributed 19 points, eight rebounds and four blocks.

For her play over the two-day Subway Classic, Zahui was named the Subway Classic Most Valuable Player and also earned a spot on the All-Classic Team. Joining Zahui on the All-Classic Team were South Carolina’s Tiffany Mitchell and A'ja Wilson, Liberty’s Ashley Ringinger and Central Michigan’s Crystal Bradford.

Carlie Wagner had 13 points for the home team after connecting on a career-best three three-pointers in the first half alone. Shae Kelley contributed 10 points and nine boards to the Gophers' victory, while Bailey added 11 points.

Minnesota scored the first six points of the second half to take a four-point lead two minutes into play, but a 15-5 run from Central Michigan gave Minnesota a five-point deficit at 11:45. But, a jumper by Zahui and a put-back Mikayla Bailey quickly cut the visitors’ lead to just one, 56-55, a minute later.

The Gophers would fall behind by six points, but three-straight baskets from Zahui tied the game, 63-63, before a pair of free throws from the center gave Minnesota a two-point lead, 65-63, with 33.8 seconds to play in the contest. Zahui returned to the line to secure the game for the Maroon and Gold with two freebies with 11 seconds remaining in the game.

At halftime, the Gophers trailed the Chippewas, 38-36, in a half of play that saw seven lead changes and six ties. Minnesota was in control early, but turnovers kept Central Michigan in the contest, as it scored 16 points off 12 Maroon and Gold turnovers.

Minnesota went ahead by as many as nine points in the first 20 minutes of play, but a 16-5 run from CMU put the Gophers in a one-point hole with 7:39 remaining on the clock. From there, neither team led by more than two points before heading into the break.

The Maroon and Gold shot .391 from the field and .348 from behind the arc while adding nine combined points from the line.

Minnesota will open conference play when they host Nebraska on Dec. 29 at 8 p.m. CT. The game will be broadcast live on BTN. Fans can listen to the call on 1500 ESPN. Gopher great Lindsay Whalen will be in attendance and will sign autographs for fans prior to tip-off.

Subway All-Classic Team

Amanda Zahui B., Minnesota – MVP

Tiffany Mitchell, South Carolina

A’ja Wilson, South Carolina

Crystal Bradford, Central Michigan

Ashley Ringinger, Liberty