University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
4-1,0-0Big Ten
CSUN
2-3,0-0Big West
Defensive Effort leads Minnesota Past CSUN, 84-31
11/22/2023 9:46:00 PM | Women's Basketball
The 53-point win is the fourth-largest in program history.
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. -- The Minnesota women's basketball team (4-1) held CSUN (2-3) to just 25.5 percent from the floor on the way to an 84-31 win against the Matadors at Williams Arena on Wednesday night.
The Golden Gophers had four players score in double figures, led by sophomore Mara Braun, who had 21 points. Sophie Hart added 13 points on a perfect 6-of-6 while Janay Sanders helped out with 10 points from the bench.
Minnesota doubled up the Matadors on the glass by holding a 52-26 advantage. Grace Grocholski led the way on the glass with six boards while also contributing a career high seven assists with no turnovers and five points. The Golden Gophers also cleaned up the offensive glass, turning 20 rebounds into 15 second chance points.
The Minnesota defense held CSUN shooters to just 5.9 percent from three-point range. The Matadors did not get many second opportunities on the offensive end, as they grabbed only nine offensive rebounds and scored zero second chance points while Minnesota pulled down 32 defensive rebounds.
How It Happened
After jumping out to a 9-6 advantage, Minnesota went on a 12-0 run with 6:46 left in the first quarter, culminating in a bucket from Niamya Holloway, to increase its lead to 21-6. The Golden Gophers then added two points to that lead by the end of the period and entered the quarter break with a 25-8 advantage. Minnesota did most of its first quarter damage in the paint, scoring 14 of its 25 points close to the basket.
Minnesota kept its first quarter lead intact before going on a 14-0 run starting at the 9:00 mark in the second period, highlighted by a three from Braun, to increase its lead to 39-8. The Golden Gophers proceeded to tack on four points to that lead and enjoyed a 50-15 advantage heading into halftime. Minnesota was strong from deep in the period, knocking down four three-point shots to account for 12 of its 25 points.
After intermission, Minnesota added to its advantage and owned a 68-29 lead heading into the fourth quarter. Minnesota played well near the basket, scoring 10 of its 18 points in the paint.
Minnesota started tacking on points in the fourth almost immediately, going on a 16-0 run, finished off by Maggie Czinano's layup, to grow the lead to 84-29 with 1:25 to go in the contest. The Matadors narrowed the margin somewhat before the game was over, but the Golden Gophers still cruised the rest of the way for the 84-31 win. Minnesota took advantage of its opportunities in the post, scoring eight of its 16 points in the paint.
Game Notes
» Minnesota's 35-point halftime lead was the largest for the program since 2012 when the team led Ohio by 44 at the break.
» Mara Braun scored over 20 points for the 11th time in her career, the Gophers are 8-3 in those games.
» The Golden Gophers led by as many as 55 points against CSUN.
» Minnesota tallied 21 total assists in the game on 31 field goals.
» Minnesota held CSUN to two points in the fourth quarter, which is tied for the fewest in a quarter in program history.
» The Minnesota bench made an impact by adding 29 points to its scoring output.
» The Minnesota defense forced 22 turnovers which led to 29 points.
» Minnesota cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 20 offensive boards in the game which led to 15 second chance points.
» Sophie Hart's 13 points is a new career high.
