University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
5-1,0-0Big Ten
Stony Brook
5-1,0-0CAA
Gophers Get 17 from Heyer, Hart, Defeat Stony Brook 67-54
11/26/2023 3:40:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Hart's 17 points is a new career high for the junior.
MINNEAPOLIS, MN -- Behind 17 points from both Mallory Heyer and Sophie Hart, the Minnesota women's basketball team defeated the Stony Brook Seawolves 67-54 at Williams Arena on Sunday.
Battle added seven points and nine assists to her 12-rebound game for the Golden Gophers (5-1). Mara Braun helped out with 12 points, seven rebounds and four assists and Niamya Holloway chipped in eight points off the bench.
Minnesota shared the ball well in Sunday's game, racking up 18 assists on 27 made field goals. Battle's nine assists led the Golden Gophers and gives her two games this season with nine dimes.
The Minnesota defense was dominant in Sunday's game, forcing 19 Stony Brook turnovers while committing 15. Those takeaways turned into 17 points on the offensive end of the floor. Niamya Holloway led the way individually for the Golden Gophers with four steals, her fourth game this season with at least three steals.
How It Happened
After falling behind 2-0, Minnesota went on a 7-0 run with 9:07 left in the first quarter, culminating in a bucket from Hart, to take a 7-2 lead. The Golden Gophers then lost some of that lead, but still entered the quarter break with a 20-16 advantage. Minnesota did most of its first quarter damage in the paint, scoring 12 of its 20 points close to the basket.
Minnesota built that first quarter lead to 26-21 before going on a 7-0 run starting at the 5:09 mark in the second period, highlighted by a three from Grace Grocholski, to increase its lead to 33-21. The Seawolves cut into that lead, but the Golden Gophers still enjoyed a 37-31 advantage heading into halftime. Minnesota ran the fast break well, scoring four fast break points.
Minnesota surrendered its halftime lead until, with the game tied at 44-44 they went on a 5-0 run, punctuated by a three from Heyer, to grab a 49-44 lead with four seconds to go in the third, a score which remained until the end of the third quarter. Minnesota played well near the basket, scoring eight of its 12 points in the paint.
Minnesota started tacking on points in the fourth almost immediately, going on a 13-0 run, finished off by Hart's layup, to grow the lead to 62-44 with 4:47 to go in the contest. The Seawolves narrowed the margin somewhat before the game was over, but the Golden Gophers still cruised the rest of the way for the 67-54 win. Minnesota took advantage of three Stony Brook turnovers in the quarter, scoring six points off of those takeaways.
Game Notes
» Sophie Hart made 12 consecutive shots dating back to the CSUN game, that streak broke in the third quarter of Sunday's contest.
» The Golden Gophers never trailed after taking a 20-16 first quarter lead.
» Mara Braun has made 23 consecutive free throws dating back to last season.
» Amaya Battle's 12 rebounds are a new career high for the sophomore.
» Freshman Grace Grocholski posted a career high nine rebounds in Sunday's win.
» Mara Braun has made at least one three in 18 consecutive games dating back to the 2022-23 season.
» Sophie Hart has posted back-to-back career highs in points.
» Minnesota is now 7-2 all-time against current teams from the CAA conference.
