Gophers crush Lindenwood behind dominant showing from bench

Minnesota got 43 points from reserves in a 100-45 blowout.

Four players finished in double figures and the Gophers women’s basketball team got 43 points off the bench on Thursday in a 100-45 blowout of Lindenwood at Williams Arena.

Mara Braun led the Gophers with 21 points — her fifth straight 20-point game — Maggie Cziano had 12 points and 10 rebounds off the bench, Grace Grocholski added 11 points and Sophie Hart pitched in 10.

Minnesota (11-1, 1-0 Big Ten) held the Lions to just 27.4% shooting for the game, the second time this season holding an opponent under a 30% clip from the field. The Gophers outrebounded Lindenwood 52-33 and had 23 assists to the Lions’ 10.

The Gophers were dominant from the jump, taking a 29-10 lead by the end of the first quarter before holding the Lions (2-8, 0-0 Ohio Valley) to a mere five points in the second frame while scoring 26 to take a 55-15 lead into the half.

The win was Minnesota’s eighth consecutive.

The Gophers return to action on Dec. 30 when they’ll face Caitlin Clark and Iowa in Iowa City at 1 p.m.