MINNEAPOLIS – A late 3-point field goal from Rachel Banham with just four seconds to play in regulation pushed the game into overtime on Sunday night as the Golden Gophers held on to defeat Butler 88-86. The Bulldogs were in the game from the opening tip to the final seconds, but could not overcome the 35 point effort from Banham.

Butler had Minnesota on the ropes late in the second half, holding onto a three point lead with just three minutes to play. The teams went back and forth in crunch time as Amanda Zahui scored in the paint to regain the lead for Minnesota.

The crowd jumped to their feet as Minnesota took their first lead of the second half since the five minute mark, but the yells wouldn't last long as Blaire Langlois silenced The Barn with a huge 3-point field goal with 1:38 remaining, giving BU a two point lead.

A free throw from Loryn Goodwin gave Butler a three-point cushion with one minute left, but the Golden Gophers were able to counter with a score from Shae Kelley. Langlois would once again answer with a pair of free throws, but the three point edge was again quickly erased with Banham connecting at the charity stripe.

With just 17 seconds to play Minnesota was forced to foul in attempt to stretch the game, which sent Goodwin to the line. The red-shirt sophomore was cool under pressure, hitting each attempt to put Butler up three.

Minnesota got the ball to Banham with time running out and the senior delivered with a tough 3-point field goal from the wing. Butler quickly called timeout after the score with four seconds to play but the last second attempt from Goodwin rimmed out as the two teams headed to overtime.

Banham and Zahui came up huge in the overtime period to help Minnesota hold off Butler. Zahui came up with the first two points of the extra period to give the Golden Gophers the lead at 81-79. Butler struck back quickly with a field goal from Belle Obert to knot the game at 81-81 and freshman Sydney Buck would hit a 3-point field goal with 2:43 left to give the Bulldogs a three-point lead.

Banham was once again cool under pressure to cut the deficit to one and Zahui would take advantage of a defensive switch to regain the lead for the Golden Gophers. The Bulldogs were denied on their next possession and a layup from Kayla Hirt would put the score at 87-84.

Butler went for a quick two as Ijeoma Uchendu scored with three seconds to play, but the strong effort by Butler would fall short as the Golden Gophers held on for their eighth win of the season.

Banham led all scorers with 35 points, 26 of which came in the second half. Banham was limited to just 12 minutes in the opening half after picking up two personal fouls. She got going offensively in the second half and ended the game with five 3-point field goals and eight points from the charity stripe. Banham took 13 free throw attempts just two less than what Butler had as a team.

The second player to step up for Minnesota offensively was Zahui who notched a double-double with 25 points and 10 rebounds. Her defensive presence also impacted the game as the center recorded a game-high six blocks.

Butler never backed down from Minnesota, a team with just one loss on the year and was recently receiving votes to be included into the national poll. Every BU starter reached a double-figure scoring total with Goodwin leading the way. The combo guard once again stuffed the box score with 24 points, six assists and five rebounds.

Uchendu and Langlois shared the team lead in rebounds with eight each. Langlois was great down the stretch for Butler, ending the game with 20 points on 6-of-11 shooting from 3-point range. The junior added three assists, a steal and a block to her stat line.

Yet another Bulldog with a big game was forward Belle Obert who produced 11 points, nine assists, six rebounds and four blocks. With Obert and Uchendu battling foul trouble, Butler turned to Andrianna Moore off the bench who contributed with eight points and four rebounds in 14 minutes.

Butler played well overall, shooting 47 percent from the field and 44 percent from 3-point range. They hit 12 3-point field goals as a team, but Minnesota's 18 points from the charity stripe would play a large factor in the final outcome.

Sunday night's contest featured 14 lead changes and three ties. Butler led by as many as nine points while Minnesota's largest lead was capped at 10.

Butler has without a doubt been playing their best basketball of the season here in the early stages of December. They held a halftime lead on the road at preseason BIG EAST favorite DePaul and recently knocked off defending Horizon League Champion Wright State on Friday night.

Tonight they put Minnesota on the ropes, a team that averages over 100 points per game at home and still remains unbeaten in The Barn. The Bulldogs will try to keep playing at this level for the final two non-conference games of the season when they host Ball State and then travel to Illinois State before heading to Seton Hall for BIG EAST action.