Ellis-Milan Leads Gophers To Win Over Indiana

Minnesota captured an important 70-62 victory over Indiana in Big Ten action in Williams Arena on Thursday. Junior center Ashley Ellis Milan scored a season-high 18 points and hit a double-double with 10 rebounds to lead the Golden Gophers. Minnesota improved to 11-4 overall and 3-1 in Big Ten play and snapped Indiana's nine-game winning streak. The Hoosiers fall to 10-3 overall and 3-1 in league action.   "We knew we had our work cut out for us tonight to beat a very good basketball team tonight and one that had won nine straight games," said Golden Gopher head coach Pam Borton. "We executed a great game plan and did what we needed to in the last four minutes of the game."   The Gophers never trailed after taking a 32-27 lead at halftime. Indiana battled to tie the score once at 43-43 with 14:32 left to play, but was unable to make the big play and take the lead.   For the second straight game, Gopher freshman Kiara Buford stepped up with a huge three-point field goal. Fox, who dished out six of her seven assists in the second half, drove to the lane, drawing the Indiana defense then kicked the ball out to Buford waiting on the left wing. The three-pointer tallied Buford's only points in the game.   After a Fox steal, the Gophers were able to finally convert the possession into points but not without a few tense moments. As the Gophers worked their offense around the perimeter the ball was knocked loose, Jackie Voigt dove on the loose ball and thanks to quick reactions from the bench the Gophers were granted a time out. With 19 seconds on the shot clock, Minnesota inbounded and once again the Indiana defense caused havoc and a loose ball. With just two seconds left on the shot clock, Fox grabbed the ball and was tripped by Hoosier guard Jamie Braun. Fox saved the possession by making the free throws.   The Gopher defense made a big stop forcing the Hoosiers to settle for long three-point field goal attempt. Ellis-Milan capped the Gophers' decisive 7-0 run with a lay-in off an assist by Fox to give Minnesota a 65-58 lead with 2:14 remaining.   Indiana make a final run scoring on a steal and lay-up by Kim Roberson and an offensive putback by Whitney Thomas as Hoosiers closed to 65-62 with 54 seconds left to play. Thomas led all scorers with 22 points.   Minnesota wanted to take time off the clock in its next possession. As the shot clock ran down, McCoy drove for a shot and a foul was called on Braun. Indiana head coach Felisha Leggett-Jack argued the call and was whistled for a technical foul. With 24 seconds left, Fox swished the two technical foul free throws to give the Gophers a more comfortable 67-62 advantage. McCoy missed her two free throws by Ellis-Milan iced the game with an offensive rebound on the second miss.   Fox was fouled with 22 ticks left and extended the lead by making both free throws, then notched the final points of the game on a late steal and lay-up. Fox finished with 15 points.   The high-energy first half was well played by the Gophers as they took a 32-27 lead into intermission. Fox played a pair of three-point plays in the last 2:30 of the half. She hit a three-point field goal from the right wing, then grabbed a steal and scored the lay-up, drew the foul and hit the free throw. It was the only visit to the free throw line for either team in the first half.   Ellis-Milan capped off the Gophers' 8-0 run to end the half banking home a turn-around jumper on McCoy's sixth assist of the period. Minnesota played with balance and poise, landing six players in the scoring column and committing just five turnovers in the first 20 minutes of the game.   McCoy was the third Gopher in double digits with 10 points. The junior guard also contributed seven assists. Minnesota committed a season-low nine turnovers in the game to overcome a 38-29 deficit on the boards.   Minnesota returns to action on Sunday when the Gophers travel to Iowa . The game, televised by the Big Ten Network, tips off at 4:30 p.m. Please note the radio coverage for this game has changed as well due to the men's game on Sunday at 2:30 p.m. versus Penn State . The entire Gopher women's game will be aired on KBEM (88.5 FM). WCCO Radio 830 AM will join the game in progress following the men's game and post-game show.   - UM -