U women's hoops routs Wisconsin in Big Ten tourney

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INDIANAPOLIS - University of Minnesota senior Kiara Buford of St. Paul nailed eight of the ten shots she took en route to a 19-point effort, helping Minnesota beat Wisconsin 81-49 in the opening round of the Women's Big Ten Tournament in Indianapolis last night.

Three other Gophers scored in double figures, including Big Ten Freshman of the Year Rachel Banham of Lakeville and Kionna Kellogg of Ames, Iowa; each with 11 points. Micaella Riche netted ten points. The ninth-seed Gophers now face top-seeded Penn State this afternoon at 5 p.m. in the quarterfinals.

The eighth-seeded Gophers held the Number-nine Badgers scoreless for over five minutes in the first half, when they went on a 14-0 run. Minnesota led by 16 at the break, and by as many as 38 late in the game. Wisconsin was outrebounded 51-to-24, as the Gophers shot 50-percent as Minnesota ended six straight losses to the Badgers. Minnesota improved to 15-16 overall. Taylor Wurtz scored 13 points for Wisconsin, which ended its first season under coach Bobbie Kelsey at 9-20.

Here are results from Thursday's first-round women's basketball games at the Big Ten Tournament in Indianapolis, Indiana:

Michigan 68, Illinois 53

Nebraska 88, Northwestern 56

Minnesota 81, Wisconsin 49

Michigan State 97, Indiana 68

(Ohio State, Iowa, Penn State and Purdue all had first round byes)

Here is Friday's slate of quarterfinal women's basketball games at the Big Ten Tournament in Indianapolis, Indiana:

Ohio State vs. Michigan, 10:30am

Iowa vs. Nebraska, noon

Minnesota vs. Penn State, 5pm

Purdue vs. Michigan State, 7:30pm

Tags: proam, basketball, gophers, badgers