After 20 minutes of action, Minnesota leads IU 39-37.
The Hoosiers opened the game with a new-look lineup featuring five freshmen starters. Graduate student Sasha Chaplin and senior Tabitha Gerardot were replaced in the starting lineup by freshmen Lyndsay Leikem and Jenn Anderson.
IU relied on scoring from behind the arc early on. Freshman Taylor Agler and Leikem both hit 3-pointers early on as the Hoosiers controlled the opening minutes of the game. IU led by as many as five points with 17:44 remaining in the opening half.
The game began to go back and forth as Minnesota sophomore Kayla Hirt and junior Rachel Banham began heating up The two combined for 30 points in the opening half.
A Banham jumper put Minnesota up 24-21 with 7:25 left in the opening half. IU and Minnesota exchanged baskets until the teams were tied at 26-26 with 4:43 remaining.
Freshman guard Larryn Brooks would hit a 3-pointers and then Agler converted on a layup under the rim as IU went on a 5-0 run to lead 31-26 with 4:14 left in the half.
Minnesota ended the game after that on 13-6 run to end the half with the 39-37 lead.
As a team, IU shot 15-34 (44.1 percent) from the floor. Brooks led IU in scoring with 10 points. Agler added nine.
