University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
13-3,3-2Big Ten
Nebraska
12-5,4-2Big Ten
Battle's Clutch Three Seals 62-58 Win over Nebraska
1/14/2024 3:49:00 PM | Women's Basketball
The sophomore finished with 11 points, five assists and four rebounds.
MINNEAPOLIS -- Amaya Battle hit a three with nine seconds to seal a 62-58 home victory for the Minnesota women's basketball team over the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Williams Arena on Sunday afternoon. Minnesota kept Nebraska to just 34.4 percent shooting from the field on the way to their third Big Ten victory and second straight.
The Golden Gophers (13-3, 3-2 B1G) had three players score in double figures, led by Mallory Heyer, who had 16 points and seven rebounds. Janay Sanders added 11 points off the bench and Amaya Battle chipped in as well with 11 points and five assists.
Minnesota took advantage of excellent ball movement in Sunday's game, piling up 15 assists on 24 made field goals. Battle's five assists were the most for the Golden Gophers and Grace Grocholski also contributed with three assists of her own.
Minnesota's defense held the Huskers to just 58 points, tied for the second fewest in series history (30 games). The only other game where Minnesota held Nebraska to less points was on Jan. 3, 1979, when the Gophers defeated the Cornhuskers 63-55.
How It Happened
After jumping out to an 8-7 advantage, Minnesota went on a 9-0 run with 4:49 left in the first quarter, culminating in a bucket from Heyer, to increase its lead to 17-7. The Golden Gophers then lost some of that lead, but still entered the quarter break with a 19-10 advantage. Minnesota did most of its first quarter damage in the paint, scoring 10 of its 19 points close to the basket.
Minnesota kept its first quarter lead intact before going on a 5-0 run starting at the 4:49 mark in the second period, highlighted by a three from Maggie Czinano, to increase its lead to 28-17. The Golden Gophers proceeded to tack on two points to that lead and enjoyed a 32-19 advantage heading into halftime. Minnesota dominated in the paint, scoring eight of its 13 points close to the basket. The 19 first-half points for Nebraska were the fewest the Cornhuskers have scored against a Big Ten opponent this season.
Nebraska then took a 38-34 lead following intermission before Minnesota went on a 12-0 run, punctuated by a three from Heyer, to grab a 46-38 lead with one second to go in the third, a score which remained until the end of the third quarter. Minnesota knocked down two three-pointers in the quarter to score six of its 14 total points.
Minnesota kept its lead intact before going on a 5-0 run, finished off by Mara Braun's three, to grow the lead to 57-47 with 3:16 to go in the contest. The Cornhuskers narrowed the margin somewhat before the game was over, but the Golden Gophers still held on for the 62-58 win. Minnesota took advantage of its opportunities in the post, scoring eight of its 16 points in the paint.
Game Notes
» The Golden Gophers are now 11-0 when leading at halftime this season.
» Minnesota has now won four of the last five games against Nebraska.
» Mallory Heyer has made at least one three in 14 straight games.
» Amaya Batter has registered five or more assists in five of her last six games.
» Minnesota held Nebraska under 40 percent from the floor for the second straight game (Cornhuskers shot 39.7 percent in their last meeting in 2023).
