Gophers open Big Ten tourney with matchup vs. Penn State

GOPHERS WOMEN'S BASKETBALL GAMEDAY

1 p.m. Wednesday, vs. Penn State * BTN, 96.7-FM

First round of Big Ten tournament at Target Center

Gophers update: Minnesota (11-18, 4-14) gets a third game with Penn State, a team the Gophers swept 2-0 during the regular season. The first win was at home in double overtime in the conference opener, the second at Penn State 75-67. Freshman G Mara Braun has scored in double figures in eight straight games, averaging 16.5 points and hitting 23 of 52 three-pointers (44.2%). She scored 41 points and made all 17 of her free throws in two victories over the Nittany Lions. Sophomore C Rose Micheaux had her best game of the season in the second Penn State game with 31 points on 14-for-18 shooting and 14 rebounds. Freshman F Mallory Heyer had 30 points and 18 rebounds in two games vs. Penn State.

Nittany Lions update: Penn State (13-16, 4-14) has lost its last six games by an average of 20.7 points. Only one of those losses wasn't by double figures, an overtime loss at Michigan State. Senior G Makenna Marisa is seventh in the Big Ten in scoring (17.3). She has hit 20 of 40 shots, eight of 16 threes and 11 of 15 free throws for 59 points in two games vs. the Gophers, including a career-high 34 points in the double-overtime loss in the conference opener. Freshman G Shay Ciezki (11.6) and sophomore G Leilani Kapinus (11.1) also average in double figures.