No. 25 Minnesota women breeze by Xavier 78-53

Published 7:53 am Thursday, November 15, 2018

CINCINNATI — Kenisha Bell scored 18 points, Taiye Bello had 11 points and 16 rebounds and No. 25 Minnesota beat Xavier 78-53 on Wednesday night.

Minnesota’s full-court defense caused problems for Xavier in the first half, turning it over seven times and shooting 27.6 percent. The Gophers opened a 20-7 first-quarter lead and extended it to 42-20 by halftime.

Jasmine Brunson added 13 points for Minnesota (2-0), and Destiny Pitts had 14 points. Brunson scored 11 in the first half, and four Gophers were in double figures entering the fourth quarter.

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Tierra Floyd scored 10 points for Xavier (2-1). A’riana Gray nearly had her second double-double of the season with nine points and 10 rebounds. Xavier was just 8 of 29 from the field in the first half, including 3 of 11 from distance.