Minnesota Women's Basketball Crushes Samford 77-40 Behind Double-Doubles from Hart and McKinney
The Minnesota Gophers dominated the court on Monday night, trouncing Southern Conference rival Samford 77-40 in a convincing display of team basketball. The decisive victory marked a strong start to the Big Ten season for the Gophers, who improved their record to 6-2.
Leading scorer Sophie Hart was nearly unstoppable, posting a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds to drive home the win. Her impressive performance was complemented by Tori McKinney's all-around play, as she chipped in 13 points, four assists, four steals, and two blocks. Niamya Holloway added another ten points off the bench, propelling her team to an early lead.
Samford's Avary Brewer led the charge for the Bulldogs, scoring 17 points from the bench. However, despite a spirited effort, the Bulldogs struggled to keep up with Minnesota's relentless pace and rebounding dominance.
The Gophers' overwhelming advantage on the glass was a key factor in their victory, as they outrebounded Samford 53-27 and capitalized on 19 offensive rebounds into second-chance points, which netted them an additional 27 points. The decisive 16-0 run at the start of the game set the tone for the rest of the contest, with Minnesota's lead swelling to 25-9 by halftime.
As the Gophers prepare to face top-ranked Maryland in their Big Ten debut on Sunday, this convincing win serves as a solid foundation for what promises to be an exciting season.
The Minnesota Gophers dominated the court on Monday night, trouncing Southern Conference rival Samford 77-40 in a convincing display of team basketball. The decisive victory marked a strong start to the Big Ten season for the Gophers, who improved their record to 6-2.
Leading scorer Sophie Hart was nearly unstoppable, posting a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds to drive home the win. Her impressive performance was complemented by Tori McKinney's all-around play, as she chipped in 13 points, four assists, four steals, and two blocks. Niamya Holloway added another ten points off the bench, propelling her team to an early lead.
Samford's Avary Brewer led the charge for the Bulldogs, scoring 17 points from the bench. However, despite a spirited effort, the Bulldogs struggled to keep up with Minnesota's relentless pace and rebounding dominance.
The Gophers' overwhelming advantage on the glass was a key factor in their victory, as they outrebounded Samford 53-27 and capitalized on 19 offensive rebounds into second-chance points, which netted them an additional 27 points. The decisive 16-0 run at the start of the game set the tone for the rest of the contest, with Minnesota's lead swelling to 25-9 by halftime.
As the Gophers prepare to face top-ranked Maryland in their Big Ten debut on Sunday, this convincing win serves as a solid foundation for what promises to be an exciting season.