Backup guard/forward Taylor Woodson went down because of a left knee injury late in the first quarter and was helped off the court. She returned from the training room to watch her team from the bench, though she had a pronounced limp. The extent of her injury wasn’t immediately known, but Woodson is a key reserve.
“Taylor got evaluated during the game and is getting re-evaluated now,” Plitzuweit said after the game. “I’m sure they’ll do some imaging on her knee and we won’t know, exactly, what it is until they see it.”
The Gophers also played without backup point guard Alexsia Rose, who was out while in concussion protocol.
Plenty of players picked up the slack.
Freshman guard Tori McKinney continued her strong play since stepping in as a starter for the injured Mara Braun. McKinney made six of seven shots, had four rebounds and four assists while tying her career high with 14 points. It was her sixth game in double figures in seven starts. Heyer scored 12 points. Grace Grocholski had nine points; Annika Stewart, Sophie Hart and Amaya Battle all had eight.
Jackson State’s Taleah Dilworth led all scorers with 17 points.