No. 22 Minnesota 71, Northwestern 33

2/26/2006 5:18 PM

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Minnesota clinched the third seed in the Big Ten tournament and tied a school record for fewest points allowed with a 71-33 victory over Northwestern on Sunday.

Kelly Roysland scored 11 points and April Calhoun added 10 to lead the way for the 22nd-ranked Gophers (19-8, 11-5 Big Ten).

The Gophers also allowed 33 points in a 64-33 win over St. Francis in the opening round of last year's NCAA tournament. The 38-point winning margin was Minnesota's largest of the season.

The Gophers, who lost to Michigan State in last year's Big Ten tournament final, have a first-round bye and won't begin play until Friday's late game at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

Minnesota never trailed, bursting to an 18-1 lead as Northwestern (6-21, 2-14) missed its first nine shots from the field. After Julie Biekawski finally hit the Wildcats' first field goal at 11:08, the Gophers kept rolling.

Liz Podominick's layup made it 25-6, and the Gophers cruised the rest of the way.

Ifeoma Okonkwo had 12 points to lead the Wildcats, who scored their fewest points in a game this season. Their previous low came in a 60-46 loss at Indiana on Feb. 12.

Northwestern has the 10th seed in the conference tournament, and plays in Thursday's opening round.