Minnesota Guard Rachel Banham Ties NCAA Record With 60 Points In Win Vs. Norhwestern

Minnesota Golden Gophers (16-7, 8-4 Big Ten) Senior Guard Rachel Banham tied a historic NCAA record with 60 points to lead her team to a 112-106 double-overtime win over the Northwestern Wildcats on Sunday.

Banham matched the 60 points scored by Cindy Brown when Long Beach State defeated San Jose State 149-69 on Feb. 16, 1987. Banham made 19 of 32 shots, including eight three-pointers, 14 of 16 free throws, and a game-tying layup (tie at 92) with 2.4 seconds left in regulation. She also compiled eight rebounds, four assists and two steals.

The Minnesota native also broke the school (44) and Big Ten (49) records.

“Just to take over,” Banham said after the game when asked what was going through her mind. “It was crazy. My teammates set me up so well and I was just feeling really good.”

Maggie Lyon tied her career-high with 31 points, grabbed 12 rebounds and was the only starter who didn’t foul out for the Wildcats(14-10, 3-9).

“(Banham) hit some tough shots,” Northwestern’s Lyon said. “She’s a good player, so she’s going to hit tough shots. We’ll work on that in practice.”

Minnesota was trailing by five after two Lyon free throws with 42 seconds left in overtime, but Barnham scored a 3 at the 39-second mark. After a Northwestern miss, Barnham went end-to-end for the tie.

Banham’s 3-point play with 51 seconds left in the second overtime gave the Gophers a 107-102 lead. Lyon made one free throw, and then Carlie Wagner made two more for Minnesota. Lyon hit a 3 with 14 seconds left but Banham iced it with two free throws just three seconds later.

LA Lakers Star Kobe Bryant took to Twitter to congratulate Banham on her achievement, which Banham thanked him for.

Article by Pablo Mena