Dec. 16, 2009
Final Stats |
Action Photos 
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. - Minnesota improved to 7-1 on the raised floor at Williams Arena, beating visiting Santa Clara 91-51 Wednesday.
The Golden Gophers received a game-high 19 points from Kiara Buford and Minnesota's press defense forced SCU into 30 turnovers. Five players finished with double-figures in scoring for Minnesota (8-4).
Santa Clara (2-8) is in the midst of playing 7-of-9 on the road. The Broncos face Boise State Saturday afternoon at BSU's Taco Bell Arena.
The Broncos led 10-7 at the first media timeout, getting a pair of early jumpers from Maggie Goldenberger, then went without a basket for five minutes.
Turnovers and a decisive rebounding edge fueled an 11-2 Minnesota run in the first half. A layup by Buford made it 31-16 at the 4:28 mark and Katie Ohm's triple before halftime gave the Gophers a 45-23 lead at the break.
Goldenberger left the game with injury late in the first half and watched the second half from the SCU bench icing her right ankle.
Alyssa Shoji made two quick 3s after the intermission and finished with 11 points to lead all Bronco scorers. Freshman starter Meagan Fulps and SCU power forward Lena Gipson each added 10.
5-foot 3-inch junior guard China Antoine dropped-in three 3s for Minnesota and helped the Gophers build an insurmountable lead in the second half. Antoine was 6-for-8 from the field and had 15 points to complement Buford's 19.