Lindsay Whalen scored 19 points and Janel McCarville posted her fourth double-double of the season with 13 points and 15 rebounds to lead No. 9/7 Minnesota to a 79-53 victory over UMKC in Kansas City, Mo., on Sunday. The Golden Gophers improved to 7-0 on the season.

The Golden Gophers held a 38-29 lead at the half, then used a three-point play by McCarville to kick-start the second half. McCarville also fueled the defense with a pair of nifty blocks as UMKC (2-4) shot just 26.7 percent from the floor in the second half. Meanwhile, Whalen shredded through the Kangaroo defense for lay-ups or assists, as the senior All-American scored nine points and dished out four assists in the second half.

Minnesota out-rebounded UMKC by a dominating 46-28 margin. The Gophers shot 50.0 percent from the floor.

Freshman Liz Podominick and Kelly Roysland came off the bench to tally double digits. Podominick chipped in a career-high 14 points, while Roysland added 10. Whalen finished seven assists for the third straight game.

Minnesota is off for two weeks. The Gophers' next contest is Dec. 21 at home versus Wisconsin-Green Bay.