DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Rachel Banham had a sparkling college basketball debut for the University of Minnesota on Friday.
The freshman guard led the Gophers with 15 points as they won their season opener, 68-60, against Arkansas in the WBI Tip Off Classic at the Ocean Center. Banham added four assists, two steals and three rebounds.
The Gophers shot 78.9 percent (15-for-19) from the free-throw line, which included a perfect 6-for-6 in the opening half.
Minnesota and Arkansas were even on the boards, with each team grabbing 36 rebounds. The Gophers' defense forced 14 steals and 24 Arkansas turnovers. Kionna Kellogg had a team-best six steals and four rebounds, and junior Katie Loberg paced the Gophers with seven boards to go along with 12 points.
The Gophers headed into halftime with a 27-23 lead, with Banham scoring nine of the team's last 15 points in the opening half.
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The Gophers face Florida State at 1 p.m. today at the Tip Off Classic.
