Minnesota’s women’s basketball team just keeps getting

sicker.

Earlier this year, coach Pam Borton and Janel McCarville both lost their voices, Natasha Williams missed the four games before Sunday’s Purdue game because she was sick and Brittney Davis missed the first part of the season with mononucleosis.

Williams returned for Sunday’s game and scored three points, but now, sophomore Liz Podominick has been diagnosed with mononucleosis and is out indefinitely.

“If I feel up to it, I’ll go to practice and watch what’s going on,” Podominick said. “Now that it’s really hitting me, right now my first priority is to rest.”

Podominick missed Thursday’s game against Michigan State as well and said she does not know if she will play again in the regular season.

“Best-case scenario, possibly, but that’s really pushing it,” Podominick said. “I’m trying to take it slow, because it’s better to make sure my body is rested so I don’t relapse at tournament time.”

The return of Williams provides depth to the Gophers at the post position, which was especially thin against the Spartans.

“It will be nice to have Tash back on the bench and playing, because she can provide a

spark,” Podominick said. “And at least we won’t have as many

people on the bench in street clothes, because that shouldn’t be happening.”

Best at bouncing back

Minnesota’s 71-49 victory Sunday over Purdue, which followed a 31-point loss to Michigan State, was no aberration.

In fact, it’s been pretty

typical.

The Gophers (19-5, 9-3) are a perfect 5-0 in games following a loss this season.

But not only have they won, they have done it in style.

Minnesota’s average margin of victory in games following a loss is a whopping 26.2 points.

The most-lopsided instance was Nov. 20 against Arkansas State. Following a 72-67 loss at Washington, Minnesota blew out Arkansas State by 37 points.

Even its closest game after a loss was a blowout, when Minnesota clobbered Drake by 17 points.

McCarville said the Gophers are so dominant in games

after losses because they feel as if they have something to prove.

“Teams possibly lose respect and may not really realize how good you are,” McCarville said. “We have to come out and reprove ourselves and let everybody know and ourselves know how good we really are, and that we’re still a contender.”

Nothing is free

The Associated Press reported Friday that Ohio State is investigating allegations of several women’s basketball players receiving free dental work from a booster, said Andy Geiger, Ohio State athletics director.

Geiger said an orthodontist might have done work on some players without billing their insurance companies, but he would not say when the infractions took place.

No players are currently in danger of losing eligibility.

Ohio State reported the situation to the NCAA, which cleared the players to remain eligible.