Gophers women's basketball-Iowa game preview
January 14, 2019 at 5:10AM
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Gophers update: The Gophers (12-3, 1-3) have lost three straight — at home to Illinois, which ended the Illini's 29-game Big Ten losing streak, and at Michigan and Michigan State by lopsided margins. The biggest problems have been turnovers, defensive lapses and three-point shooting. Senior G Kenisha Bell, who was added to the midseason Top 25 watch list for the John Wooden Award, leads the team in scoring (18.5 ppg) and assists (4.3) and is second in rebounds (6.5). She is shooting just 40.1 percent. Destiny Pitts is averaging 12.9 points per game but has hit just three of 25 three-pointers in Big Ten play. The Gophers are 10-1 at home.
Hawkeyes update: The job of slowing Iowa (11-4, 2-2) starts with controlling 6-3 star Megan Gustafson, who was tied for the Division I lead in scoring heading into the weekend (25.9). She is also fifth in the nation in rebounding (12.9). Along with 6-2 Hannah Stewart (12.9 points and 5.8 rebounds), Iowa presents a powerful 1-2 punch in the frontcourt that will challenge Gophers Annalese Lamke and Taiye Bello. The Hawkeyes are 0-2 on the road in Big Ten play and are coming off a loss at Purdue.
Kent Youngblood
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Minnesota’s bench scored 50 points, including a team-leading 18 points from graduate transfer Annika Stewart, showcasing the depth that coach Dawn Plitzuweit promised.
