Iowa State transfer Fernstrom lands at Minnesota

Two days after she sought and was granted her release from Iowa State, Minnesota women's basketball announced center Bryanna Fernstrom is returning to her home state.

The sophomore from Center City, Minn., will be eligible to play for the Golden Gophers after next year's first semester, according to NCAA transfer rules.

Fernstrom had a double-double in her last game with the Cyclones on Saturday against Kansas. She averaged 9.1 points and 6.7 rebounds, appearing in all 15 games this season and starting 12.

"When I decided to transfer from my previous school, I knew Minnesota would be the first and best choice for me," Fernstrom said in a release. "Once I got there I met the coaching staff and toured the campus and facilities, I knew it was exactly where I belonged. I felt very at home at the University of Minnesota and was welcomed with open arms by both staff and players.

"I believe Coach Marlene (Stollings) and her staff are dedicated to the success of the basketball program as well as its student-athletes. I'm very excited to be back home playing in front of the people that have helped and supported me for so many years."

"Bryanna is an exceptional addition to our Gopher program," Stollings said in the release. "She brings in-depth experience from playing in the Big 12, starting the majority of her young career.

"She is a very talented defender with the ability to block and alter shots, and she has shown the ability to score with her touch on the offensive end. We are ecstatic to bring another Minnesotan home to play in front of the best fans in the country."

Fernstrom caught ISU coach Bill Fennelly off guard by meeting with him Monday morning to ask for her release.

"The second semester starts (Monday) and there's six weeks to go in the season, but I would say surprised," Fennelly said. "But again, there are a lot of things young people do that don't surprise me anymore. Maybe a little bit of both."

Freshman Meredith Burkhall started against KU and can expect a bigger role now as the Cyclones likely move to a seven-player rotation, Fennelly said.