gophers women gameday

2 P.M. VS. Michigan State • williams arena • No TV, 1500 AM

Gophers at a glance: Minnesota (11-3) enters Big Ten play coming off a dominating 79-43 victory over Oakland (Mich.) Sunday at the Barn. The Gophers — and their 6-5 Redshirt freshman Amanda Zahui B. — were simply too much for the Golden Grizzlies. Zahui B. matched her career high with 25 points and set new personal bests with 16 rebounds and three steals. Senior Micaëlla Riché chipped in 12 points, and all 10 Gophers scored. … Star guard Rachel Banham had a rare off-night for shooting — 3-for-12 from the field — and had eight points. The junior had scored in double figures in 28 consecutive games. … Minnesota is 6-5 in Big Ten openers under coach Pam Borton.

Spartans at a glance: Michigan State (8-5) and the Gophers meet to start their Big Ten schedules for the second season in a row, and the balanced Spartans come in after back-to-back wins over Colgate and Georgetown. The wins followed a stretch in which the Spartans were 1-4, including road losses to Florida State, Virginia Tech and Oklahoma State. … Michigan State has three players averaging in double figures in Annalise Pickrel (13.6 points per game), Aerial Powers (13.5) and Tori Jankoska (11.5). … Michigan State has one of the tallest rosters the Gophers have faced this season, with four players 6-3 or taller, including starters Pickrel and 6-4 Jasmine Hines.

Bryce evans