Zahui B.'s double-double drives Gophers' matinee victory

Amanda Zahui B. has been the very definition of a game-changer.

The 6-5 sophomore came off the bench for the second consecutive game and provided the Gophers an instant spark, offensively and defensively. She contributed another double-double (15 points and 14 rebounds) and helped the Gophers erase an early 12-point deficit to beat Cleveland State 93-76 in a matinee show Wednesday at Williams Arena.

"We had no way to defend her, and they continually went to her," Vikings coach Kate Peterson Abiad said. "We didn't have an answer for their inside game."

Zahui B. was dominant on both ends of the court when inserted into the lineup. She also blocked five shots in 24 minutes of play.

"She gave us a tremendous lift, particularly on defense," Gophers first-year coach Marlene Stollings said. In the season opener, Zahui B. had 20 points, 12 rebounds and five blocked shots in 22 minutes.

The Gophers came out running and gunning, just like in their opener. It looked like they didn't understand they had a distinct height advantage over the much smaller Vikings. Cleveland State's tallest starter was 5-10.

The Gophers missed their first six three-pointers and were 1-for-11 from beyond the arc late in the first half. Their poor perimeter shooting played a big part in Cleveland State building a 24-12 lead midway through the first half.

The Vikings, a more formidable opponent than was Southeastern Louisiana in the opener, also exposed the Gophers' soft zone defense. Sixteen of their 24 points in the paint came in the first half.

When the Gophers realized that's where they needed to go offensively, they chipped away at the lead. After Zahui B. got things rolling in the first half, senior forward Shae Kelley also found success inside. The Old Dominion transfer also recorded her second consecutive double-double (21 points and 14 rebounds).

Senior guard Rachel Banham led the Gophers with 27 points and a personal-best 13 assists. She now has 2,038 career points, seven away from moving past Laura Coenen (2,044) and into the third spot on the school's career scoring list.

"My teammates were running with me," Banham said. "We had great spacing."

The Gophers, just like in the opener, had four players in double figures. Freshman guard Carlie Wagner added 16 points but was 2-for-8 from three-point range. The Gophers wound up 9-for-31 from beyond the arc.

"They are bigger, stronger and more athletic," Peterson Abiad said.

Stollings' new bunch now hits the road for the first time, playing at Memphis on Sunday. The Gophers are back home next week for a Tuesday night game against Southern before a Thanksgiving weekend tournament in Florida.