In a game where Ohio donned black uniforms, the performance was just as dark.
The Minnesota Golden Gophers defeated the Bobcats 85-40 in a dominant performance. Minnesota shot 57 percent from the field and had 30 points off of turnovers. The loss matches the worst of coach Semeka Randall’s tenure.
“They shoot the ball well, we came out really like some deer in the headlights, it was a reality check,” said Ohio coach Semeka Randall. “It was a wakeup call for everybody.”
Last year’s Big Ten Freshman of the Year, Minnesota guard Rachel Banham hit three three-pointers and Golden Gophers never looked back from there.
With 7:51 remaining in the first half, Minnesota was shooting 84 percent from the field with a 40-5 lead.
The Golden Gophers were perfect from the free-throw line in the first half and ended it with a 60-16 lead, shooting 72 percent from the field.
Banham opened the second half with a three-pointer to continue her dominance and finish with 18 points. Two other Golden Gophers were in double figures, as Sari Noga poured in 14 and Katie Loberg had 12.
Ohio committed 20 turnovers in the game and the perimeter defense was exposed again as. Minnesota was 8-14 from beyond the arc.
The Bobcats came out with more energy in the second half, but it was already too little.
Minnesota continued to press the Bobcats in the second half, even with the 44-point lead. With 13 minutes remaining in the game, Minnesota had 28 points off of Ohio turnovers, which was more than Ohio’s total scoring output at the time to that point.
Junior guard Erin Bailes saw her first action of the season in the game for Ohio and had three points from long range. Senior guard Symone Lyles led Ohio in scoring in the game with eight points. The Bobcats shot 22 percent from the field as a team.
“Our kids have to grow up if they want to do something really special,” Randall said.
jm296009@ohiou.edu
