A career high 19 points from Taiye Bello, but Minnesota can’t
hold out as they lost at Penn State 77-66 on Wednesday.

The freshman forward gave the Gophers 12 points in the first half.
She played an important role in Minnesota’s efficient shooting and defense to
start the game.

“I was just trying to focus on defense and rebounding, but I
thought I could have rebounded a lot better this game,” Bello said. “I was just
trying to start strong.”

Carlie Wagner had an off night shooting the ball. She never found
a rhythm that has led to her becoming 16th top scorer in the nation. Wagner
shot 3-21 from the field.

Head coach Marlene Stollings said it is difficult to win games
when Wagner isn’t scoring for the team.

Bello, however, gives Minnesota another scoring option when
Wagner and Kenisha Bell aren’t getting their numbers.

Before a couple injury setbacks, Gadiva Hubbard was the third
option for the Gophers early in the season.

After halftime, Minnesota (12-12, 3-8 Big Ten) lost their scoring
touch. They made 10 of their 38 shot attempts in the second half.

“We got great looks and we got second shots,” Stollings said.

Stollings was pleased with different aspects of the game. Their
inability to put points on the board in the second half was the concern in this
game.

Although Kenisha Bell continued to shoot well from the free-throw
line, the team converted only half of their efforts.

Minnesota started the game with an 8-0 lead. They led Penn State
by as many as 10 points in the first quarter, but Penn State (16-8, 6-6 Big
Ten) cut the lead.

“We were kind of going back and forth,” Bello said. “We really
didn’t get back on defense at times, so that hurt us.”

With the score tied 39-39 at halftime, the Gophers needed a
strong start in the third quarter.

Both sides struggled scoring in the third, but Penn State would
take a five-point advantage into the final quarter.

Shooting struggles continued for Minnesota in the fourth quarter.
Their deficit grew to as many as 14 points.

Penn State capitalized on the Gophers scoring lapses in the
fourth quarter.

The Lady Lions pulled away from the Gophers. Penn State never led
by less than seven after their opening basket of the quarter.

Penn State didn’t take many chances for granted. They shot 8-13
from the field.

Stollings remains optimistic as her young players continue to
develop.

“Some
of our youngsters played just phenomenally well,” Stollings said. “We’ll build
from