St Thomas Women and Gopher Women give up 4th quarter leads

(Minneapolis, MN) — The 23rd-ranked Golden Gopher women’s basketball team went ice cold in the fourth quarter and lost to number-24 Michigan last night in Minneapolis 70-65. Minnesota held a one point lead heading into the final frame and only scored 11 points in the fourth quarter. The Gophers shot just 26-percent from the floor in the fourth, including 14-percent from three-point range. Minnesota was led by Amaya Battle’s season high 25 points. Annika Stewart added 16 points off the bench for the Gophers, who dipped to 17-3 overall and 5-3 in the Big Ten. The visiting Wolverines were paced by Syla Swords, who poured in 23 points, due in part to six made three-pointers. Michigan improved to 14-5 overall and 5-3 in the conference. Minnesota will host Wisconsin on Sunday at 2 P-M. Meanwhile, the Gopher men entertain number-15 Oregon on Saturday at 3 P-M.

(St. Paul, MN) — The St. Thomas women’s basketball team could not hold a fourth quarter lead and lost at home to South Dakota State last night 83-76. The Tommies led the Jacks by four points to start the final stanza before S-D-S-U outscored St. Thomas 25-14 in the fourth. The Tommies were led by junior guard Amber Scalia of Stillwater, who netted 23 points. St. Thomas dipped to 9-10 overall and 1-5 in the Horizon League, while the Jackrabbits improved to 16-3 overall and 6-0 in the conference. The Tommies have dropped five of their six games and will host Denver on Saturday at noon at Schoenecker Arena in St. Paul. Meanwhile, the St. Thomas men are at Omaha tonight at 7 P-M.