MAINE AND MINNESOTA SQUARED OFF ON THE BASKETBALL COURT

The Maine Black Bears and the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers in the championship game of the Subway Classic at the University of Minnesota.

Minnesota looked to push the ball down the floor and set the tempo early in the game.

Maine took a 30 second timeout with 18:47 left in the first half with Minnesota up 4-0.

Minnesota looked to get the ball down the floor and into the hands of Rachel Banham. The Gophers started out hot. They took their time on the offensive end as they passed the ball around the three-point line as everyone touched the ball.

Maine took a 30 second timeout with 17:21 left in the first half the score was Minnesota 10 and Maine 0.

Maine didn't get down on themselves as they were not able to hit shots early in the contest. They kept on working the ball around and getting into the hands of Courtney Anderson.

Micaella Riche for Minnesota was all over the floor. She was able to get her shot to fall and was not afaried to shoot it from anywhere on the floor.

There was a media timeout with 15:49 left in the first half the score was Minnesota 12 and Maine 2.

Sari Noga stepped up and was able to knock down some big shots for Minnesota. The Gophers did a good job of getting everyone involved in the offense and knowing when and where to shoot the ball from.

The Gophers were a little quicker then Maine. They were able to beat Maine to spots on the floor and were able to pick off passes. On the defensive end Minnesota got their hands out in the passing lanes and they were able to get deflections and get steals.

Mikalya Baliey was another Gopher who was all over the floor on both ends of the floor. She was able to drive down the floor and get wide open lay-ups.

There was a media timeout with 11:54 left in the first half. The score was Minnesota 21 and Maine 6.

After the media timeout Maine was able to string together some baskets but Minnesota battled back and they didn't give up the lead.

Minnesota switched up between man-to-man and zone defense and they did a good job of confusing the Maine players.

There was a media timeout with 7:58 left in the first half. The score was Minnesota 27 and Maine 15.

Maine looked to get the ball inside to there post players who looked to score easy lay-ups. Minnesota did a good jog of finding the open player under the basket and getting them the ball.

There was a media timeout with 3:29 left in the first quarter. The score was Minnesota 31 and Maine 22.

Both teams battled throughout the first half. Neither team gave up any easy baskets. Minnesota was able to hold onto the lead as Maine tried to rally back late in the first half.

It was a very physical first half as there was a lot of bumping and lots of contact that happened on the floor. Both teams did a good job of playing through it.

At halftime the score was Minnesota 39 and and Maine 31.

Ashleigh Roberts was all over the floor for Maine. She was able to get her teammates the ball if they were open and she also was able to hit shots.

Minnesota started the second half in a man-to-man defense as they didn't want to give up easy baskets.

Maine had difficulty's shooting the ball but that didn't stop them from shooting it.

At the first media timeout with 15:40 left in regulation the score was Minnesota 46 and Maine 37.

Both teams picked up their offensive power as they each were looking to shoot the ball deep in the shot clock. If Minnesota thought that they had a good shot with 10 seconds left in the short clock they would take it.

Minnesota was able to set some good pick and rolls and as they were able to set each other up for some nice easy lay-ups.

There was a media timeout with 11:38 left in regulation the score was Minnesota 55 and Maine 48.

Maine kept on battling as they looked to stay in the ball game. They were able to get shots to fall and were able to cut the deficit.. The Gophers didn't panic as they kept on playing their style of pound and ground basketball.

There was a media timeout with 7:53 left in regulation the score was Minnesota 65 and Maine 53.

Maine had difficulty with the pressure that Minnesota put on them and they had to take a timeout with 7:08 left in regulation with the score Minnesota 65 and Maine 53.

Rachel Banham, Micaella Riche were both offensive workhorses on the offensive end for the Gophers. They took good shots and got their teammates involved in the offense. On the defensive end they were able to slow down the player that they were guarding.

I though that this was over all a good team victory for the Gophers. They played hard and well as a team. Maine threw a lot of stuff at them offensively and they were able to adjust and battle throughout the game.

Maine called a timeout with 2:42 left in regulation. The score was Minnesota 77 and Maine 60.

Minnesota came away with the 77-60 victory over Maine in a hard fought battle by both teams.

Maine shot 22-57 from the field that included going 4-19 from behind the three-point line. Maine also shot 12-13 from the free throw line. They brought down a total of 33 rebounds including 24 on the defensive end.