Minnesota to compete in Women’s Basketball Invitational

by Betsy Helfand

The Gophers will host Charleston Southern in the first round of the Women's Basketball Invitational on Friday at 7:00 at Williams Arena.

"We are excited for the opportunity to continue to play in the postseason. We hit our stride during the Big Ten tournament and this event gives our younger players an opportunity to experience postseason basketball this time of the year," head coach Pam Borton said in a press release. 

The Gophers defeated Wisconsin 81-49 in the first round of the Big Ten tournament and then lost to Penn State, the regular season conference champions, 78-74 despite leading at halftime. 

They finished the season with a 15-17 overall record, and will enter the 16-team tournament as a two-seed. Charleston Southern, out of the Big South Conference, is a seven-seed after ending the regular season 17-14. The two teams have never played each other.

Borton also said that her team is "excited to have the opportunity to play a few more games at the Barn." Minnesota went 11-4 at Williams Arena on the year. If the Gophers win, they will play either Bradley or Tennessee Tech on Sunday at 2:00 at Williams Arena.