BUTLER WENT UP AGAINST THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA IN A WOMEN’S BASKETBALL GAME

On Dec. 7 Butler and the University of Minnesota went up against each other in a women’s basketball game. Going into the game Butler had an overall record of 2-7 while Minnesota had an overall record of 7-1.

Minnesota started the game out in a zone defense. They looked to push the ball in transition as they started their defense at half court.

Minnesota looked to set the tempo early. Minnesota passed the ball around the 3-point line as they used a lot of time off the 30-second shot clock.

Butler did a good job of getting the ball down the floor. Butler looked to get the ball into the hands of Loryn Goodwin. Goodwin wasn’t afraid to shoot the 3-point shot.

Minnesota was able to create steals on the defensive end. They moved the ball down the floor well enough to score baskets in transition.

There was a media timeout with 15:32 left in the first half. The score was Minnesota 10, Butler 7.

Butler’s Zoe Reichman, Belle Obert and Ijeoma Uchendu all were able to hit mid-range jump shots in the first half.  

Butler used a matchup zone defense. The Gophers did a good job of penetrating the zone and getting the ball inside.

Minnesota’s Rachel Banham did a good job of bringing the ball down the floor and getting the ball to her teammates. If her teammates thought that she had a good shot they would pass it back to her in the paint where she felt comfortable shooting the ball.

Butler’s Andriana Moore came off the bench and was a presence inside. She would get the ball inside and looked to make layups from the low block.

There was a media timeout with 11:50 left in the first half. The score was Minnesota 17, Butler 16.

Butler took a lot of time off the 30 second shot clock. They passed the ball around the 3-point line.

When they thought that they had a good shot they would shoot it. Butler’s Sydney Buck was all over the floor on the offensive end. Buck could bring the ball down the floor and she could call for the ball from the top of the key.

Butler called a timeout with 9:21 left in the first half. The score was Butler 22, Minnesota 17.

Butler was patient on the offensive end. They didn’t rush their shots. Butler usually looked to score with 10 seconds left on the shot clock.

There was a media timeout with 7:01 left in the first half. The score was Butler 24, Minnesota 21.

Minnesota switched between man-to-man and a zone defense. That made Butler have to swing the ball around the 3-point line if they couldn’t get the ball inside to Obert.

Minnesota called a timeout with 5:25 left in the first half. The score was Butler 30, Minnesota 21.

Both teams struggled to hit shots late in the first half. The Minnesota offense went stagnant for a period of time and then the Butler offense went stagnant.

There was media timeout with 3:02 left in the first half. The score was Butler 30, Minnesota 25.

Obert came up with some nice 3-point shots late in the first half.

Minnesota’s Amanda Zahui came up with some layups late in the half. She was also able to come up with some huge rebounds and turn them into baskets.

At halftime the score was Butler 33, Minnesota 32.

Minnesota’s Shanye Mullaney came up with the first layup of the second half. She looked to get the tempo going early.

The score went back and forth early in the second half.

Uchendu came up with layups as her teammates did a good job of getting her the ball on the low block.

Banham got her mid-range jump shot to fall. She was also good at taking her defender off the dribble and making layups.

There was a media timeout with 15:58 left in the second half. The score was Minnesota 44, Butler 42.

Minnesota continued to look to get the ball into to post player Zahui. Zahui worked hard for layups.

She and Moore defended each other on the low post.

Banham got hot in the second half. She stepped up and was able to knock down 3-point shots.

Butler called a timeout with 11:32 left in regulation. The score was Minnesota 59, Butler 50.

Buck stepped up and nailed a deep 3-point shot.

There was a media timeout with 10:54 left in regulation. The score was Minnesota 59, Butler 53.

Zahui was hot from inside of the paint while Banham was hot from both inside and outside of the 3-point line. Minnesota did a good job of finding those two on the offensive end.

Minnesota’s Shae Kelley stepped up on the defensive end and was able to closely guard her player.

There was a media timeout with 7:58 left in regulation. The score was Minnesota 63. Butler 58.

Butler’s Blaire Langlois came up with mid-range jump shots and layups throughout the game. If her teammates thought she was open she would get the ball and take it to the basket.

Butler called a timeout with 5:44 left in regulation. The score was Minnesota 67, Butler 61.

Banham was able to get to the free throw line and hit her free throws.

Butler attacked the basket and got everyone involved in the offense.

There was a timeout with 3:54 left in regulation. The score was Butler 69, Minnesota 68.

Butler looked to take as much time as they could off the 30 second shot clock late in the game. Butler kept on looking for Goodwin down the stretch. Goodwin stepped up and played well throughout the game. She was able to hit layups, mid-range jump shots and 3-pointers throughout the game.

Butler called a timeout with 1:17 left in regulation. The score was Butler 74, Minnesota 72.

Kelley came up with a layup with just under a minute to play. The score went back and forth in the game.

Banham hit a deep 3-point shot to tie the game at 79 each with 4.9 seconds left in regulation. Minnesota called a timeout.

Butler’s Goodwin drove down the length of the floor and missed a layup attempt as the buzzer sounded.

The game was tied at 79 after regulation.

Zahui came up with a layup in the overtime period.

Both teams looked to use the clock to their advantage in the overtime period. Buck drained a deep 3-pointer from the pocket.

Then on the next drive Banham drilled another 3-point shot from the top of the key.

Teams traded baskets late in the overtime period. Minnesota came up with some big defensive stops.

Zahui came up with layups late in the game that gave the Gophers the lead.

Minnesota came away with the 88-86 overtime victory over Butler.

The leading scorers for Butler were Goodwin with 24 points, and Langlois with 20. As a team Butler shot 32-68 from the field. That included going 12-27 from behind the 3-point line. They brought down a total of 38 rebounds 27 of them on the defensive end.

The leading scorers for Minnesota were Banham were 35 points and Zahui with 25 points. As a team Minnesota shot 32-69 from the field. That included going 6-16 from behind the 3-point line.  Minnesota brought down a total of 42 rebounds 28 on the defensive end.