Minnesota women trounce Wright State

FAIRBORN, Ohio -- Minnesota gave Wright State a double dose of sophomore center Janel McCarville, who hurt the Raiders with both her shooting and rebounding.

McCarville scored 18 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to lead No. 11 Minnesota to an 88-54 victory over Wright State on Saturday, the Golden Gophers' 10th straight win to start the season.

"I thought this was Janel's best game all season," said Minnesota coach Pam Borton. "She just took the ball strong to the basket. She was very strong, had a great defensive game. It wasn't just one thing she did. She put a well-rounded game together."

McCarville, the 2002 Big Ten Freshman of the Year, dominated under the boards, pulling down defensive rebounds and getting position at the offensive end for easy putbacks. It was her second double-double of the season.

Wright State coach Bridgett Williams said the Raiders didn't have an answer for McCarville.

"Minnesota is a team that is exactly what their record says -- they're very good," Williams said. "There's no way we could have contended with them this afternoon with their inside game."

Minnesota (10-0) shot 65 percent from the field and outrebounded the Raiders 40-23. Tiffany Webb put up 31 points for the Raiders (1-8), who lost their seventh straight while only shooting 35 percent.

Minnesota never trailed in the game and led 46-23 at the half.

The Gophers flexed their muscles under the basket, getting easy putbacks on offensive rebounds and often limiting the Raiders to one shot at their end of the court.

"I knew going into this game our post players can dominate, and they should be able to dominate," Borton said. "I felt they did a real nice job."

The Gophers' tight man-to-man defense forced Wright State to force passes and turn the ball over repeatedly.

Kim Prince matched McCarville, contributing 18 points for Minnesota.

"She's been playing consistent for us all season. So this isn't surprising for Kim," Borton said. "She's very fundamental. She does a great job in the post."

The Gophers returned all five starters from last year's 22-8 team that advanced to the second round of the NCAA tournament. They are the Big Ten's only undefeated squad, and their No. 11 national ranking is the team's highest ever.

No. 11 MINNESOTA 88, WRIGHT STATE 54

MINNESOTA (10-0)

Von Wald 0-4 2-2 2, Andersson 3-5 3-4 9, Prince 8-10 2-2 18, Whalen 6-9 4-4 17, Lieser 0-0 0-0 0, McCarville 8-9 2-4 18, Schonrock 2-3 0-1 6, Hill 1-2 0-0 2, Bolden 1-4 2-2 4, Gilbert 5-6 1-3 11, Nelson 0-0 0-0 0, Collison 0-0 1-2 1. Totals 34-52 17-24 88.

WRIGHT STATE (1-8)

Bussan 0-1 0-0 0, Ott 2-6 1-2 5, Webb 12-21 6-10 31, Agee 0-4 2-2 2, Ransdell 1-6 2-2 4, Mays 2-6 3-4 7, Krueger 1-5 1-2 3, Glance 0-0 0-0 0, Gray 1-6 0-0 2. Totals 19-55 15-22 54.

Halftime--Minnesota 46-23. 3-Point goals--Minnesota 3-5 (Schonrock 2-2, Whalen 1-2, Von Wald 0-1), Wright St. 1-9 (Webb 1-3, Bussan 0-1, Ott 0-1, Ransdell 0-1, Krueger 0-1, Mays 0-2). Fouled out--None. Rebounds--Minnesota 40 (McCarville 10), Wright St. 23 (Webb 8). Assists--Minnesota 22 (Whalen 6), Wright St. 8 (Mays 4). Total fouls--Minnesota 16, Wright St. 20. A--304.