The Minnesota women's basketball team is playing inspired basketball with their backs against the wall, leading the Pen State Nittany Lions, 36-29, at the half of the second round Big Ten tournament game.
Rachel Banham leads all scores with 10 points to go along with a game-high six rebounds. Brianna Mastey and Kiara Buford have chipped in eight and seven points, respectively. The Golden Gophers are 15-16, 6--10 in Big Ten play and need to win the conference tournament to have any chance of making the NCAA Tournament. Minnesota destroyed nine-seeded Wisconsin, 81-49, in the opening round of the tournament.
Penn State, 13-3 in Big Ten play, is the No. 1 overall seed in the tournament. They are led by All-Big Ten guard Maggie Lucas (nine points) and Zhaque Gray (nine points).
For more on the Minnesota Golden Gophers, check out The Daily Gopher. You can also learn more about women's basketball in general at SB Nation's Swish Appeal.