MINNEAPOLIS – The Wisconsin women's basketball team (7-13 overall, 0-7 Big Ten) fell 90-65 to the Minnesota Golden Gophers (15-5, 4-3) on Thursday night in Minneapolis.

Despite four players ending in double digits, the Badgers couldn't overcome a tough second quarter where the Gophers outscored them 32-18. UW played a close game in the second half, only being closely outscored 34-32.

The Badgers had four players score double digits for just the third time this season as Cayla McMorris led the pack with 23 points, marking the sixth time she's led the team in scoring this year and the third time she has scored 20-plus points.

Sophomore Suzanne Gilreath put up 12 points, making it the 10th game this season she's been in double figures and the third game in a row.

Both Courtney Fredrickson and Marsha Howard ended the night with double-doubles with Fredrickson recording 15 points and 10 rebounds, and Howard also pulling down 10 boards while adding 10 points. It was the fourth career double-double for both Badgers.

Wisconsin put up a fight in the paint and in fastbreak points, adding 30 points in the paint and nine fastbreak points.

UW kept it a tight first quarter, only letting Minnesota gain more than a five-point lead in the last two minutes. After going down by 12 (24-12) in the final minute, a 3-point basket by Gilreath cut the lead back into single digits (24-15) by the end of the period.

Minnesota had a hot start in the second quarter with a 12-2 run that was broken up by another Gilreath triple at the 5:46 mark to make it 36-20 in favor of the Gophers. UM continued its tear, ending the half with a 23-point lead (56-33).

UM had a sharp night from the charity stripe, shooting 91.3 percent, hitting 21-of-23 chances at the free-throw line. UW was sent to the line 24 times and finished shooting 75 percent (18-24), with McMorris shooting 80 percent (8-10) and Fredrickson at 90 percent (9-10).

 

Notes to Know:

• Senior Cayla McMorris scored a season-high 23 points in her final collegiate game in her home state of Minnesota. The 6-0 guard also recorded a season-high three steals.
• Sophomore Courtney Fredrickson picked up her third double-double of the year with 15 points and 10 rebounds. The 6-2 forward recorded a career high 9-10 from the free-throw line.
• Junior Marsha Howard had her fourth double-double of the season with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
• Redshirt senior Kendall Shaw played in her first game after missing four contests with a head injury.
• Wisconsin scored a Big Ten season-high 65 points but also gave up an overall season-high 90 points. Minnesota also had an opponent season-high 56 rebounds and took an opponent season-high 76 field goal attempts. 
• Freshman Niya Beverley dished off five assists, her eighth game this season with five-or-more dimes.
• Minnesota scored a season-high 56 points in the first half.

Straight from the Court:
Head Coach Jonathan Tsipis:

"To begin the game, we had the rebound advantage and when they went to the two-post look that really helped them. They got to the offensive glass and really capitalized."

"They didn't shoot as many 3's in the first half because they were able to get to the free-throw line. That was the thing that stands out to me. For a stretch, we were rebounding better and we had 15 offensive rebounds so we have to be able to capitalize on that."

"We play with four guards and we have to have different people be able to rebound. I thought Courtney and Marsha did a good job with 16 defensive rebounds between the two of them, but our guards have to be able to rebound. We have to get those numbers up. That plays out our confidence on the other side."
 

Up Next:

Wisconsin is back in action at home on Sunday for National Girls and Women in Sports Day. The Badgers host Northwestern at 4:30 p.m. but festivities will start at 2 p.m. for the event in the Nicholas Johnson Pavilion as fans can enjoy fun and interactive games for kids, face painting and a chance to meet Bucky Badger.

At approximately 3 p.m., enjoy a brief program focusing on the benefits for girls to get involved with athletics. Plus, there will be a special performance from the UW band. Fans should enter via the east entrance of LaBahn Arena, following the signs that will be present.

Tickets can be purchased online for only $2 in advance of the game here, or purchased the day of the game once the ticket office opens at Gate B of the Kohl Center starting at 3:30 p.m.