Rachel Banham's 29 points led the Gophers to their second consecutive nonconference blowout Friday night, this time an 87-49 victory over Missouri-Kansas City.
The sophomore guard went 5-for-7 from three-point range while adding five assists and seven rebounds. Micaella Riche and Kayla Hirt also scored in double figures as the Gophers moved to 8-3 on the season. Six players scored at least eight points.
Minnesota picked up right where it left off after Wednesday night's romp over Denver. The players started the game on a 9-2 run with a couple of buckets from Kionna Kellogg and Riche, along with a Banham three-pointer.
The Gophers then put on the full-court press, sending UMKC into a tizzy. Sari Noga came up with a steal and layup to put the Gophers up 27-13 only nine minutes into the game.
"That's how we have to play in order to win games," Gophers coach Pam Borton said. "We have a play-intense defense. We really have to pressure the ball. We really have to control the boards. We've got to get on the floor after loose balls. That's got to be our identity going into the Big Ten season."
Banham drained her third consecutive three-pointer to extend the lead to 32-13. She registered 20 points and the Gophers held a 46-29 lead at the half, shooting 60 percent from the field and 50 percent from outside the arc.
Hirt got the hot hand going in the second half with three buckets in a row. The redshirt freshman from Bemidji shot 6-for-8 from the field and finished with 14 points.
"Every game I feel a little bit more comfortable," Hirt said.
