University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
North Dakota State
Battle's Career High Leads Gophers to 75-53 Win over NDSU
11/15/2023 9:02:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Battle scored 20 points, handed out nine assists and grabbed four rebounds.
MINNEAPOLIS, MN -- Amaya Battle collected a career high 20 points to help lead Minnesota (3-0, 0-0 B1G) over the North Dakota State Bison (1-2, 0-0 Summit) 75-53 at home Wednesday night at Williams Arena.
The Maroon and Gold had three players score in double figures, led by Battle, who had 20 points and nine assists. Sophomore Mara Braun added 13 points, her 12th straight game in double figures, and Mallory Heyer helped out with a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds.
Minnesota's defense held North Dakota State to only 31.6 percent shooting from the field while shooting 45.6 percent on the offensive end and connected on 70.8 percent (17-of-24) from the free throw line.
How It Happened
Minnesota started out the scoring by going on a 9-0 run, culminating in a bucket from Battle, to take an early lead with 7:04 left in the first quarter. The Golden Gophers then lost some of that lead, but still entered the quarter break with an 18-12 advantage. Minnesota did most of its first quarter damage in the paint, scoring 12 of its 18 points close to the basket.
Minnesota built that first quarter lead to 21-14 before going on a 13-0 run starting at the 7:07 mark in the second period, highlighted by a bucket from Battle, to increase its lead to 34-14. The Golden Gophers proceeded to tack on two points to that lead and enjoyed a 41-19 advantage heading into halftime. Minnesota forced six North Dakota State turnovers in the period and turned them into eight points.
After intermission, Minnesota held on to its advantage and owned a 61-39 lead heading into the fourth quarter. Minnesota knocked down three three-pointers in the quarter to score nine of its 20 total points.
Minnesota kept its lead intact before going on a 6-0 run, finished off by Heyer's jumper, to grow the lead to 67-42 with 6:33 to go in the contest. The Bison narrowed the margin somewhat before the game was over, but the Golden Gophers still cruised the rest of the way for the 75-53 win. Minnesota got a boost from its bench in the period, with non-starters scoring five of its 14 total points.
Game Notes
» Mallory Heyer's double double is the sixth of her career.
» Mara Braun has made at least one three in 15 straight games dating back to last season.
» The Golden Gophers led the entire contest, never allowing the Bison to have the lead.
» Amaya Battle has handed out five or more assists in four straight games dating back to last season.
» The Gophers are 3-0 for the first time since 2018-19.
» Janay Sanders extended consecutive games with a steal to eight games dating back to last season.
