Carlie Wagner scored a career-high 38 points, but the Golden Gophers fell 84-69 at Michigan on Sunday. Wagner shot 13-of-20, including a 7-for-9 performance from 3-point range, in tying the 12th-best game scoring total in program history.
Minnesota (10-8, 1-4 Big Ten) and Michigan (15-4, 4-1 Big Ten) both started the game on a high scoring pace, but the Wolverines began to pull away midway through the first quarter.
Wagner's point total was the highest by a Gopher since Rachel Banham scored 48 against Milwaukee last March 16. The junior's seven 13 field goals and 3-pointers were new career highs. She added a team-high eight rebounds.
In addition to Wagner's 38, Joanna Hedstrom scored 13 points and made three of the Gophers' 13 3-pointers. The 13 triples were a Big Ten season high for Minnesota.
Hallie Thome had a double-double for Michigan with 20 points and 17 rebounds. Katelynn Flaherty scored 22 points. Michigan took advantage of 22 Minnesota turnovers, and outrebounded the Gophers 40-38.
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Both teams got out to a fast start, and Michigan led 11-9 just over two minutes into the game. Wagner and Hedstrom each hit 3-pointers early in the game. After the Wolverines pulled ahead 19-12, Minnesota got three consecutive defensive stops, but was not able to cut into the lead. Michigan led 25-16 at the end of the quarter with eight points apiece from Thome and Flaherty. Wagner shot 3-for-4 and had eight points for Minnesota.
Wagner scored the Gophers' first points of the second with a drive at the 3:34 mark. Hedstrom scored their other two baskets of the quarter. Minnesota trailed 47-22 at the half. The Gophers outrebounded Michigan 20-19 in the first half, but the Wolverines scored 11 second-chance points and 10 points off 15 turnovers.
Minnesota made four 3-pointers in the third, including two by Hedstrom. The Gophers scored seven points off turnovers in the third. Gadiva Hubbard, in her first game back from a case of mono, made a 3-pointer and had a steal that led to a Wagner layup. Michigan led 66-42 at the end of the period.
Wagner poured in 19 points in the fourth as the Gophers outscored the Wolverines 27-18 in the quarter. She was 5-for-5 from 3-point range in the fourth quarter alone.
- GopherSports.com
