Final from Williams Arena: #Gophers defeat UW-Milwaukee and advance in the #WNIT! #FireWithin pic.twitter.com/2ZjwMr7TZR
— Minnesota Women's Basketball (@GopherWBB) March 17, 2016
Milwaukee Panthers 80
Minnesota Gophers 87
The Minnesota Gophers are moving on in the WNIT Tournament. The Gophers beat Milwaukee 87-80 Wednesday night at ‘The Barn.’
1. Banham goes bonkers
Playing in her final postseason, Rachel Banham absolutely took control of the game and broke a WNIT postseason record. She finished the night with 48 points on 18/33 shooting as she put the entire team on her back.
The mark set a new postseason WNIT single-game record. The senior guard from Lakeville was especially ridiculous in the third quarter.
Banham has 36 points through three quarters. She scored 23 of the team's 28 points in the 3rd Q, including 21 straight. MN 66-64.
— Marcus R. Fuller (@Marcus_R_Fuller) March 17, 2016
If the 48 points weren’t enough, Banham also grabbed seven rebounds and dished out two assists.
2. Sophomore leads Milwaukee
Sophomore forward Steph Kostowicz led the way for the Panthers. She kept Milwaukee close most of the night with a double-double, scoring 30 points and grabbing 11 rebounds.
3. Others step up
Mikayla Bailey knocked down 3-of-5 from the three-point line and finished with 14 points, while Carlie Wagner struggled with her shot but still ended the night with 10 points.
Shayne Mullaney scored 10 of the Gophers 14 total bench points as well.
Tweet of the Night:
@GopherWBB Rachel Banham's 48 points sets a new Postseason #WNIT single-game scoring record. Tamika Whitmore of Memphis scored 45 in 1999.
— WNIT (@WomensNIT) March 17, 2016
Up Next:
The Gophers will host South Dakota in the second round of the WNIT on Sunday.
