WBIT: Gophers take on Belmont for tournament title

[ASFN Admin]

WBIT Final: Gophers vs. Belmont​

When: Wednesday, 6 p.m.
Where: Indianapolis, Hinkle Fieldhouse
Watch: ESPN2
Listen: KFXN-FM+ 96.7

What’s up? Since missing out on the NCAA tournament, the Gophers (24-11) have played their best basketball of the season, winning four straight in the 32-team Women’s Basketball Invitation Tournament to reach Wednesday’s title game against Belmont. The Bruins (26-12), an NCAA tournament team in six of the past eight seasons, are playing their longest Division I season.

How they got here: Minnesota, a No. 2 seed, beat Toledo (65-53), Missouri State (78-71), Gonzaga (82-77 OT) and Florida (66-52). … Belmont, a three seed, defeated Middle Tennessee State (64-51), Northern Arizona (81-80), James Madison (90-45) and Villanova (66-57).

Quote: “Anytime you play in the postseason, it just builds momentum for the next year, and I thought last year playing in the WNIT got us to build momentum for this year, so we’re looking forward to doing the same thing after this tournament.” — junior forward Mallory Heyer

Scouting report:Grace Grocholski has been the Gophers’ leading scorer since Mara Braun broke her right foot in early December, but since then all five starters have led the team in scoring at least three times. Point guard Amaya Battle is averaging a team-high 20.2 points, and Mallory Heyer a team-high 10.5 rebounds this postseason. … The Bruins have four players scoring in double figures this season, led by Jailyn Banks (12.8 ppg.) and Kendall Chessman (12.0), who also adds a team-best 8.7 rebounds a game. Tuti Jones was 8 of 11 from 3-point range and scored 26 points in a 90-45 victory over James Madison in the quarterfinals.

Context: The Gophers lost to St. Louis in the WNIT final last season. They are now 8-1 in postseason games under second-year coach Dawn Plitzuweit and playing their best basketball of the season. Set to get Mara Braun and Taylor Woodson back from injuries, Minnesota has a chance to ratchet up the momentum it can carry into next fall with the program’s first national tournament title since the Gophers won the 16-team Women’s Basketball Invitational in 2012.

Related Articles​

• WBIT: Gophers roll past Florida, into another postseason championship game
• WBIT semifinals: Gophers vs. Florida
• WBIT: Gophers rally and beat Gonzaga in overtime to reach semifinals
• Women’s basketball: Gophers hold off late Missouri State run to win second WBIT game
• WBIT: Gophers hold off Toledo to advance to second round

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