Minnesota erased a 10-point halftime deficit to take a fourth-quarter lead but went cold at crunch time in a 63-58 loss to Alabama on Wednesday in the championship of Baha Mar Hoops Classic in Nassau, Bahamas.
Grace Grocholski led the Gophers with 18 points that included a 3-pointer to give Minnesota a 53-52 lead with 6 minutes, 1 second left. But the Gophers whiffed on two chances to increase that lead.
After inside misses by Sophie Hart and Mara Braun, Alabama’s Jessica Timmons hit a 3-pointer to give the Crimson Tide a 54-53 lead. Alabama never trailed again. The Gophers were 2 for 9 from the field the rest of the way, with many misses on uncontested layups.
“We missed too many shots when we were close to the rim and never got caught back up,” Gophers coach Dawn Plitzuweit told KFAN radio after the game. “I counted at least five point-blank opportunities at the rim, (and) we just didn’t make them.”
Timmons and Essence Cody each scored 18 points for Alabama (5-0). Timmons scored 10 fourth-quarter points, and her two free throws with 5.8 seconds sealed the victory.
Grocholski scored 13 of her 16 points in the second half to help the Gophers rebound from a woeful first half. Minnesota scored a combined 17 points in the first two quarters, and 26 in the third alone to make it a game.
Hart tied the game, 55-55, on a layup with 3:54 remaining. But Hart, Grocholski, Braun and Amaya Battle all missed layups late.
“I don’t think any of the four even got above the rim,” Plitzuweit told KFAN. “It’s hard to win basketball games when you’re not efficient from there.”
Glenn finished with 13 points and four assists for the Gophers (5-2), who beat South Florida fairly handily on Monday to advance to the championship game.
Alabama was the best team Minnesota has played this season.
“We’ve got to figure it out,” Plitzuweit said, “but I’d rather play good competition now to figure it out and get ready for the Big Ten.”
Minnesota is host to Samford on Monday at Williams Arena. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.
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