B1G Friday at the Fieldhouse was on fire with Maryland

March 2, 2018 Maryland Kaila Charles rising above four Hosiers in the Third Round of the Big Ten Tournament on Friday March 2, 2018 at the Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, IN. Photo by Andre Hollis / fi360 News
March 2, 2018
Megan Gustafson dropped 48 points in the Third Round of the Big Ten Tournament on Friday March 2, 2018 at the Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, IN. Photo by Andre Hollis / fi360 News

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – The Fieldhouse was on fire with four games in third round of the Women’s tournament. No upsets but some great hoops for the fans in attendance in Indy.

Despite dropping 48 points for Iowa Megan Gutafson came up just short in 90-89 game with Minnesota. Gutafson now holds the Hawkeyes’ and Big Ten Tournament record after her performance.

“I was able to really work on my feet and just get in good position, which helped a lot,” said Gutafson, “I knew this was going to be a big game.”

March 2, 2018
Minnesota Carlie Wagner makes her way in the paint in the Third Round of the Big Ten Tournament on Friday March 2, 2018 at the Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, IN. Photo by Andre Hollis / fi360 News

Minnesota two headed monster was lead by Carlie Wagner and Kenisha Bell combined for 53 points. Bell also had 9 assist, 2 steals to go with her 26 points.

“I think we just had to pick up the intensity on defense at the last 10 seconds,” said Bell, “We work on final-shot situations, and that’s one of the things we do in practice where we have to play defense the last 30 seconds or the last 10 seconds, and this is where it came to play.

March 2, 2018
Minnesota Kenisha Bell eyeing the basket in the Third Round of the Big Ten Tournament on Friday March 2, 2018 at the Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, IN. Photo by Andre Hollis / fi360 News

Iowa hand one last shot for an upset when Amanda Ollinger’s missed her only 3-point shot of the game as time ran out.

Maryland 67 – Indiana 54

March 2, 2018
Maryland Kaila Charles pulls up at free throw line in the Third Round of the Big Ten Tournament on Friday March 2, 2018 at the Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, IN. Photo by Andre Hollis / fi360 News

Maryland defense stepped to allow for them to advance to the Saturday semifinals. The final minute Indiana was held scoreless to ensure the victory 67-54.

Kaila Charles lead all players with 24 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assist and 2 steals for a complete game.

” I think it’s definitely my teammates finding me when I’m open,” said Charles, “we started getting to the baskets and getting shots, and it started opening up for us at the rim.”

March 2, 2018
Minnesota Channise Lewis in the paint being guarded by Tyra Buss in the Third Round of the Big Ten Tournament on Friday March 2, 2018 at the Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, IN. Photo by Andre Hollis / fi360 News

This game could have gone either way until one team put their foot down and took a stance which started on defense.

Indiana had a strong performance by Amanda Cahill 17 points, and 5 rebounds to lead her team. Cahill had tough day from three only shooting 1-7 from behind the arc.

“we just had some breakdowns and didn’t make plays down the stretch,” said Cahill,  “We just kept trying to encourage each other and say that we could do it.”

March 2, 2018
Indiana Tyra Buss in the Third Round of the Big Ten Tournament on Friday March 2, 2018 at the Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, IN. Photo by Andre Hollis / fi360 News

Now No 2 Maryland will face No 3 Nebraska with one game left to reach the finals.

Other Scores

No. 1 Ohio State 82, No. 9 Rutgers 57

No. 3 Nebraska 61, No. 6 Michigan 54