8 p.m. vs. Iowa • Williams Arena • BTN, 1500-AM
Minnesota (20-6, 9-5 Big Ten): The Gophers return to Williams Arena in the midst of a mini-revival — and not a moment too soon. After a 1-4 slump a couple weeks ago, the Gophers have topped 85 points in all three of its season-saving wins over Michigan State, Wisconsin and Penn State. The Gophers topped Penn State 85-77 on Sunday on the road, and eclipsed 20 wins for the first time since the 2007-08 season, a critical first step for their NCAA tournament hopes. Minnesota is in a three-way tie for fourth place in the Big Ten with Northwestern and Ohio State, a game behind Rutgers. A big reason for the turnaround has been the steady play of point guard Shayne Mullaney. The junior from Eden Prairie had a career-best 18 points against Penn State. She was 5-for-6 shooting behind the arc, and had eight assists. In Big Ten play, Mullaney averages 9.7 points and 8.5 assists. Senior Shae Kelley scored 23 against the Lady Lions. That, combined with her career-high 33 against Indiana Wednesday, earned her Big Ten player of the week honors for the third time this season. The Gophers and No. 13 Hawkeyes also square off in the season finale in Iowa City.
Iowa (21-4, 12-2): The Hawkeyes, second in the Big Ten standings, come to The Barn after a dominant 81-64 win over Indiana on Sunday. Senior guard Samantha Logic had 11 points and 11 assists and tied for the team lead with six rebounds. Since a disappointing 73-61 loss at Illinois on Jan. 8, the Hawkeyes have won 10 of 11 — the only blemish being a 93-88 defeat at No. 5 Maryland on Feb. 1. The Hawkeyes have shot 46.3 percent from the field, 39.1 from three-point range and average nearly 80 points per game. Bethany Doolittle, a 6-4 senior center from Hill-Murray, is third on the team in scoring at 13 points per game, 14.7 in league play.
BRYCE EVANS
