Gophers head into Big Ten on low note

Emily Fox's 19 points couldn't save the U women's basketball team from a season-worst effort against the Cyclones.

By FROM STAFF REPORTS, Staff Reports

Last update: December 22, 2008 - 4:14 PM

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IOWA STATE 58, GOPHERS WOMEN 42

Up next: at Wisconsin • 8 p.m. Dec. 29 • Madison, Wis. TV: Big Ten Network (88.5-FM)

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AMES, IOWA - The Gophers women's basketball team endured an icy and treacherous Interstate 35 en route to Iowa State.

Once there, the cold-shooting Gophers suffered a 58-42 loss to the Cyclones before an announced crowd of 9,675 at Hilton Coliseum. The 42 points were a season low for the Gophers (8-3), who were coming off a 12-day break for final exams after a loss to South Dakota State on Dec. 9.

"To hold anyone to 42 points is great," Iowa State coach Bill Fennelly said. "It's one of the quality wins that every team wants, against a team that was in the NCAA tournament last year."

Emily Fox led the Gophers with 19 points, but Katie Ohm, who entered the game as the team's leading scorer, was held to two.

Kelsey Bolte had 15 points and seven rebounds for Iowa State (8-2), which has won its past five meetings against the Gophers at home. Former Woodbury star Amanda Nisleit added 14 points.

The first half was nothing short of a nightmare for the Gophers, who trailed 40-17 at halftime. Iowa State scored 17 points off 13 Gophers turnovers and 14 more on offensive rebounds.

Iowa State also scored 11 points from the free-throw line in the half, while the Gophers failed to visit the foul line once. Fox had 10 points in the half, and Ohm was the only other starter to make a basket.

The Gophers opened the second half with a lineup that included three freshmen (Jackie Voigt, Kiara Buford and Brianna Mastey). Every player in uniform saw action, as coach Pam Borton tried to find a combination that could rally the team.

The Gophers chipped away at the deficit by forcing the Cyclones into eight early second-half turnovers. A three-pointer by Fox with 8 minutes, 42 seconds left brought the Gophers within 45-33, but Iowa State reestablished its lead with a 7-0 run as the Minnesota offense again turned ice cold.

It was the final nonconference game of the season for the Gophers, who start Big Ten play at Wisconsin next Monday.