University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
6-1,0-0Big Ten
Norfolk State
6-2,0-0MEAC
Grocholski Scores 26, Gophers Rout Norfolk State 74-43
11/29/2023 9:05:00 PM | Women's Basketball
The 26 points for Grocholski are the most by any freshman in the Big Ten this season.
MINNEAPOLIS, MN -- True freshman Grace Grocholski totaled 26 points to help lead the Minnesota women's basketball team (6-1, 0-0 B1G) over the Norfolk State Spartans (6-2, 0-0 MEAC) 74-43 at Williams Arena on Wednesday night.
The Maroon and Gold had three players score in double figures, led by Grocholski, who had a career high 26 points. Sophomore Amaya Battle tacked on 14 points, five assists and four steals while junior Sophie Hart chipped in as well with 11 points, nine rebounds and a career high four assists.
Minnesota shared the ball well in Wednesday's game, racking up 17 assists on 26 made field goals. Minnesota forced 17 Norfolk State turnovers while committing just 11 themselves.. The Golden Gophers turned those takeaways into 22 points on the other end of the floor with Mara Braun's five steals leading the way defensively.
How It Happened
After jumping out to a 7-4 advantage, Minnesota went on a 5-0 run with 7:15 left in the first quarter, culminating in a bucket from Hart, to increase its lead to 12-4. The Golden Gophers then lost some of that lead, but still entered the quarter break with a 19-16 advantage. Minnesota capitalized on five Norfolk State turnovers in the period, turning them into six points on the other end of the floor.
Minnesota built that first quarter lead to 31-22 before going on a 9-0 run starting at the 3:21 mark in the second period to increase its lead to 40-22, a score that would hold until halftime. Minnesota was strong from deep in the period, knocking down four three-point shots to account for 12 of its 21 points.
Following intermission, Minnesota continued to expand its advantage, pushing it to 45-26 before going on a 5-0 run, punctuated by a three from Braun, to expand its lead further to 50-26 with 5:07 to go in the third. The Golden Gophers held onto that lead for the rest of the frame and entered the fourth quarter with a 54-30 edge. Minnesota turned six offensive rebounds into four second chance points on the way to scoring 14 total points in the quarter.
Minnesota kept widening that lead, expanding it to 68-43 before going on a 6-0 run, finished off by Janay Sanders' jumper, to grow the lead to 74-43 with 41 seconds to go in the contest, a score which would hold for the rest of the game. Minnesota took advantage of its opportunities in the post, scoring 10 of its 20 points in the paint.
Game Notes
» Minnesota knocked down nine treys in the game, the second most in a game this season.
» Norfolk State shot just 32.7 percent shooting from the field, the sixth time Minnesota has held their opponents to under 40 percent shooting this season.
» The Golden Gophers never trailed against the Spartans.
» Minnesota allowed just six offensive rebounds, the fewest in any game this season.
» Minnesota had a 44-31 edge on the boards in the win.
» Mallory Heyer tied her season high in rebounds with 12.
» Mara Braun has hit at least one three in 19 straight games.
» Amaya Battle has had five or more assists in six of the seven games this season.
» Minnesota's 11 turnovers are the fewest in any game this season.
