The Gophers swept the Big Ten Conference weekly awards in women's basketball Monday. Senior forward Shae Kelley was chosen the Player of the Week for the third time and guard Carlie Wagner the conference freshman of the Week for the second consecutive week. It marks the first time this season that the Gophers earned both player and freshman accolades in the same week.
Kelley averaged 28 points, 11 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.5 blocks per game in Minnesota victories over Wisconsin and Penn State. She scored a career-high 33 points, including a career-best 13 made free throws, and pulled down 14 rebounds for her 10th double-double this season against the Badgers, before adding her second consecutive 20-point performance with 23 points and five assists against the Lady Lions.
Wagner got her second consecutive freshman of the week nod by averaging 17 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game against Wisconsin and Penn State. She had 17 points on 43.8 percent shooting from the floor in the win over the Badgers, and added another 17 points and five rebounds against Penn State.
State well-represented at women's worlds
Six players with Minnesota ties have been named to the U.S. team that will play in the women's hockey world championships March 28-April 4 in Malmo, Sweden.
The 23-player roster includes former Gophers defenseman Anne Schleper of St. Cloud and current Gophers defenseman Lee Stecklein of Roseville, both of whom played on the 2014 Olympic team. Also on the roster are current Gophers forwards Hannah Brandt of Vadnais Heights and Dani Cameranesi of Plymouth, Bemidji State forward Stephanie Anderson of North St. Paul and Minnesota Duluth forward Zoe Hickel.
Former Gophers goaltender Robb Stauber of Long Lake is on the coaching staff.
Gophers back in men's hockey rankings
The Gophers climbed back into the USCHO top 20, ending an extended absence from the college hockey polls. They're ranked No. 17 after sweeping then-No. 12 Michigan and its nation-best offense last weekend at Mariucci Arena.
Three weeks ago, the Gophers fell out of the USCHO poll for the first time since April 2011. Since then, they're on a six-game unbeaten streak and have climbed from the bottom of the Big Ten standings into a first-place tie with Michigan.
