Gophers Women Crack AP Top 25 Basketball Poll
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO/AP) — The Minnesota women's basketball team has cracked the Associated Press national rankings for the first time in nearly nine years.
The AP Top 25 poll released on Monday had the Gophers at No. 23. This is their first AP ranking since March 13, 2006.
Minnesota went 3-0 last week to start Big Ten play, beating No. 19 Nebraska at home and winning at Purdue and Wisconsin to raise its overall record to 14-1. Sophomore center Amanda Zahui B averaged 17.3 points and 15.3 rebounds over those three games.
After getting their win at Wisconsin on Sunday, Zahui B. was named the National Player of the Week by espnW. In three victories, she averaged 17.3 points, 15.3 rebounds and four blocks per game.
She had 20 points, 15 rebounds, four blocks and three steals in a come-from-behind win over Nebraska. Zahui B. also had 21 points and 19 rebounds in a win at Purdue and finished an impressive week with 11 points, 12 rebounds, three blocks and three assists in the Gophers' win at Wisconsin.
For the season, Zahui B. is averaging close to 16 points and about 11.5 rebounds per game. On Monday, she was also named the Big Ten's Player of the Week.
With 10 straight victories, the Gophers have their longest streak since the 2003-04 season. They host No. 12 Maryland on Sunday.
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