University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
9-1,1-0Big Ten
Purdue
6-4,0-1Big Ten
Battle's Clutch Steal and Free Throws Push Gophers Past Purdue, 60-58
12/10/2023 3:12:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Battle hit a pair of free throws with three seconds left to put Minnesota on top.
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. --The Minnesota women's basketball team fought back from a 43-38 deficit after the third quarter to beat the Purdue Boilermakers 60-58 at Williams Arena on Sunday in the team's Big Ten Conference opener.
The Golden Gophers (9-1, 1-0 B1G) had three players score in double figures, led by Mara Braun, who had 21 points. The Gophers are now 11-3 all-time when Braun scores 20 or more points in her career. Amaya Battle tacked on 15 points, four assists and two steals and Sophie Hart chipped in as well with 14 points.
The Minnesota defense was effective at taking away the basketball in Sunday's game, forcing 19 Purdue turnovers while committing just eight. Those takeaways turned into 17 points on the other end of the floor.
How It Happened
Minnesota entered the second quarter tied at 7-7 after a tightly contested first period. Minnesota relied on its three-point shooting in the period, knocking down one shot to account for three of its seven points.
The game stayed tied until Minnesota went on a 10-0 run, highlighted by a bucket from Maggie Czinano, to take a 23-13 lead. The Boilermakers cut into that lead, but the Golden Gophers still enjoyed a 25-18 advantage heading into halftime. Minnesota was strong from deep in the period, knocking down three three-point shots to account for nine of its 18 points.
Purdue then took a 37-32 lead following intermission before Minnesota went on a 6-0 run, punctuated by a basket from Battle, to grab a 38-37 lead with 1:27 to go in the third. Purdue responded to seize a 43-38 lead entering the fourth quarter.
Minnesota came out of the third quarter break clicking on all cylinders, going on a 9-0 run, finished off by Braun's three, to seize a 47-43 lead with 7:40 to go in the contest. The Boilermakers narrowed the margin somewhat before the game was over, but the Golden Gophers still held on for the 60-58 win. Minnesota took advantage of eight Purdue turnovers in the quarter, scoring 12 points off of those takeaways.
Game Notes
» The Golden Gophers rallied from a five-point 43-38 third quarter deficit to pick up the win.
» Mara Braun, Amaya Battle, and Sophie Hart combined to account for 83 percent of the Golden Gophers points.
» Amaya Battle had just two turnovers in the win; moving Minnesota's record to 11-3 all-time when Battle has three or fewer turnovers in a game.
» Minnesota shot a blistering 53.8 percent (14-of-26) from the floor in the second half to mount their comeback.
» Minnesota's eight turnovers are a season low.
» Minnesota held Purdue's bench to zero points in the victory at Williams Arena.
» The 'U' is now 6-0 when Sophie Hart scores 10 or more points.
