Gophers freshman surprises Eagles

Star Tribune

The Gophers’ Kiara Buford went up for a shot between a sea of arms against American University on Saturday at the Subway Classic tournament. Buford scored 22 points in the Gophers’ 79-62 victory.

The Eagles coach called the Gophers' Kiara Buford the X-factor in the Subway Classic tournament victory.

By ROMAN AUGUSTOVIZ, Star Tribune

Last update: November 23, 2008 - 12:35 AM

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American University women's basketball coach Matt Corkery called the Gophers' Kiara Buford the X-factor on Saturday.

The 5-11 freshman guard, playing in her fourth college game, scored a game-high 22 points as Minnesota beat the defending Patriot League champions from Washington, D.C., 79-62.

Earlier at Williams Arena, Yale edged North Carolina State 65-61 in the first game of the Subway Classic. So, at 1 p.m. today, Yale (2-1) and the Gophers (3-1) will meet in the title game of the four-team tournament.

Three of Buford's teammates also scored in double figures and two of them -- center Ashley Ellis-Milan and point guard Brittany McCoy -- had double-doubles. But Buford, a reserve, was the Gophers' unlikely early catalyst.

With Minnesota leading 13-12, Buford scored on a layup, an inside move and a three-pointer, in a 64-second stretch. Those seven quick points started a 13-0 run that ended with another of her layups. By the end of that run, the Gophers were ahead 26-12. The Eagles (3-1) never got closer than five points.

"When you catch somebody early in the season, you find out what they did all summer," Corkery said. "Obviously [Buford] had a great summer and has improved herself as a player.

"Also sometimes when you get some open looks early and you see the first one or two go in the basket, you feel a little bit better. She was great. She was a big X-factor in the game for sure."

Buford made nine of 14 shots from the floor, including two of five three-point attempts. She had five rebounds, one assist, one steal and two turnovers in 28 minutes.

"Coming off the bench, I just try to bring intensity to the team," said Buford, a standout on St. Paul Central's back-to-back Class 4A state champions the past two seasons. "My first couple points were on fast breaks. When I see we could get the opportunity to run, it's exciting."

After scoring six, four and eight points in her first three games and playing an average of 16 minutes, Buford played more against the Eagles because starting forward Katie Ohm was in foul trouble.

Buford is the first Gophers freshman to score 20 points or more since Janel McCarville had 23 against Illinois on Jan. 3, 2002.

"[Kiara] has been practicing hard," Gophers coach Pam Borton said, "and she is learning what it takes and what she needs to do to get herself on the floor and be successful at this level."

Ellis-Milan, McCarville's successor at center, also had a strong game with 15 points and 10 rebounds. McCoy had 10 points and 12 assists -- three shy of the team record.

Said Gophers guard Emily Fox, who had 16 points: "Brittany was getting the ball to everybody and making everybody look good."

Especially one first-year player.

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