Despite a sparse crowd and little maroon and gold in the stands, the Gophers women’s basketball team showcased their early-season dominance, extending their undefeated record.
The Gophers traveled to Tempe, Arizona on Nov. 16 and 17 for their first-ever appearance at the Briann January Classic where they faced Oregon State and Southern Methodist University (SMU).
The Gophers left the court Saturday with a 73-38 victory over Oregon State. The Gophers scored the final 17 points with freshman McKenna Johnson hitting a 3-pointer in the final minute.
Players showed their depth for the maroon and gold, scoring 32 points off the bench against the Beavers and 38 against SMU in Sunday’s matchup.
Graduate student Annika Stewart led the Gophers in points both days of the tournament coming off the bench. After the weekend, Stewart holds the record for most points scored off the bench and is two points behind the team’s leading scorer Mara Braun this season. Sunday’s game marked her third leading the team in scoring off the bench.
Despite playing the most minutes, Braun beat Stewart once this season in scoring against Vermont. Braun recorded eight steals and tied junior Amaya Battle at 21 points. Battle did not record any points on Sunday but contributed five steals across the two tournament games.
Braun and sophomore Grace Grocholski contributed 10 points each, only three behind Stewart in Saturday’s matchup.
The Gophers faced SMU on Sunday, ending the game 65-59 but entering the fourth quarter at a two-point deficit, 44-42. Of their 23 points in the fourth quarter,14 were scored in the paint, six of which were scored by Taylor Woodson.
Woodson matched Stewart’s point total in Sunday’s game against the Mustangs by scoring 18, but failed to replicate Stewart’s three steals.
Both Stewart and Woodson are transfers who came off the bench and were instrumental in driving the team’s offense this season, proving the talent the Gophers gained through their transfer additions.
The Gophers return to Williams Arena Wednesday to face Eastern Illinois University in another non-conference matchup.
