Gophers look to ride upset win into Illinois

After its most impressive win of the season, the Gophers women’s basketball team will try to carry the momentum into its game against Illinois on Thursday in Champaign, Ill.

Head coach Pam Borton said that the team has emphasized rebounding — a weak point as of late — in recent practices.

Prior to their Jan. 29 game against Ohio State, the Gophers had been out-rebounded in three straight contests. They also allowed 14 offensive rebounds to the Buckeyes in the first half Sunday.

“There are a lot of players on our team who aren’t rebounding the way they used to rebound four games ago,” Borton said.

Although Borton was not necessarily referring to star point guard Rachel Banham, the freshman said she hasn’t rebounded as well as she did in the past.

“I think I’m watching the ball too much, and I’m not really boxing out my player,” Banham said.

Banham is second in the team in rebounding with 5.5 rebounds per game. She has averaged 5.3 rebounds in her past four games.

“I don’t think I’m as aggressive with it,” Banham said. “I used to always run after it and get after it, and I wanted most of the boards, but now I think I’m being more lazy.”

Minnesota’s biggest challenge against Illinois will likely be to contain Preseason All-Big Ten honoree Karisma Penn.

Penn leads the Illini with 14.2 points and 7.7 rebounds per game.

Illinois sits second-to-last in the conference with a 1-7 record. Its lone win came at Michigan State on Jan. 26.

Minnesota will likely play without forward Jackie Voigt, who suffered a concussion Jan. 22. Borton said Tuesday that Voigt had yet to pass an impact test.

The Gophers are 23-32 all-time against the Illini and 8-19 in Illinois.