Stollings era begins for Gophers women

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Gophers women's basketball team will start the season at home against Southeastern Louisiana.

This won't be just another opener. Friday night will be the first game for new head coach Marlene Stollings, who was hired in April to replace Pam Borton. She spent the last two years at VCU.

Stollings will rely heavily on guard Rachel Banham, the Preseason Player of the Year pick in the Big Ten. The senior has 1,993 career points.

The Gophers will also initiate a four-player rookie class, led by freshman guard Carlie Wagner. The all-time leading scorer in Minnesota history, Wagner comes to the program from New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva High School.