Gophers and Spartans to Clash at the Barn on Saturday Afternoon

MINNEAPOLIS - The University of Minnesota women's basketball team (13-4, 3-3 B1G) returns home Saturday afternoon to host the Michigan State Spartans (13-4, 3-3 B1G). The Big Ten clash is scheduled to start at 2 p.m. at Williams Arena on B1G+ while Justin Gaard and Lynnette Sjoquist will broadcast the game on KFAN+.

GAME INFORMATION
TV/Stream: B1G+ (Sign Up)
Radio: KFAN+ (96.7 FM) and the iHeartRadio app (Justin Gaard and Lynnette Sjoquist)
Promotion: Join Gopher Women's Basketball as they host the Michigan State Spartans for their annual Pride game! The first 1,000 fans will receive a FREE 'United Are We' mini flag!

ABOUT THE MICHIGAN STATE GAME

Minnesota and Michigan State are meeting for the 72nd time on Jan. 20, with the Spartans owning a 17-16 advantage in the series in Minneapolis that started in 1980. Last season Minnesota met Michigan State just once with the Spartans earning a 71-67 victory in East Lansing.
Michigan State has won four of the last five in the series with Minnesota's win during that span being in 2022 at Williams Arena by a score of 71-60.
Saturday's matchup will feature two of the Big Ten's newest coaches with Dawn Plitzuweit matching up with first-year Michigan State women's basketball coach Robyn Fralick, who came to East Lansing after a stint at Bowling Green State University.
The Spartans are 2-2 in their past four games, with wins coming against Northwestern and Maryland at home while dropping road games to Iowa and Ohio State. Michigan State's other Big Ten contests are a loss to Nebraska and a win over Penn State. Michigan State also lost to Creighton, a projected NCAA Tournament team, 83-69.
Individually this season the Spartans are led by Moira Joiner, a veteran Big Ten player who averages 15.9 points per game this season while shooting 46.2 percent from the floor, 41.6 percent from three and 90.0 percent from the free throw line. Joiner is joined in double figures by Julia Ayrault (14.5), DeeDee Hagemann (12.9) and Tory Ozment (10.1). Ozment, who primarily comes off the bench, also shoots 56.3 percent from the floor and averages 5.6 rebounds per contest.
As of Jan. 17, Michigan State is the No. 1 ranked team in assist-to-turnover ratio in the country at 1.84 and is No. 2 in the conference in assists per game at 20.2. The Spartans have been a high-tempo offense all year long, with the No. 5 scoring offense in the country at 88.5 points per game, with their scoring margin No. 2 in the Big Ten and No. 14 in the country.

GOPHER NOTABLES

Minnesota suffered a setback on the road against No. 16/16 Indiana by a score of 85-62 on Wednesday night. Freshman Grace Grocholski led the way with 19 points on 8-of-9 shooting while Mara Braun scored 14, with all 14 points coming in the second half. Amaya Battle was the third Gopher in double figures with 13 points, hitting a three for the second straight game and adding five rebounds, three assists and a steal.
True freshman Grace Grocholski has proven that she can also produce against top talent in the country, averaging 12.3 points per game against ranked opponents and shooting 42.9 percent from the floor and adding five rebounds per game. Grocholski led the way offensively against No. 16/16 Indiana with 19 points on 8-of-9 shooting and 3-of-4 from beyond the arc.
Mallory Heyer was named to the Big Ten's weekly honor roll after her performances against Michigan and Nebraska. Heyer 18.5 points and 6.0 rebounds per game and shot 8-of-16 (53.3 percent) from the 3-point line and 14-of-26 (53.9 percent) from the floor. This season in conference play Heyer is the only Big Ten player to average 11.0 points, 7.8 rebounds and shoot 40 percent from three.
Mara Braun leads the NCAA in free throw percentage at 94.6 percent, making 53-of-56 attempts this season. This year Braun is No. 3 in the Big Ten in scoring average (18.7), she's ninth nationally in threes made (53) and among Big Ten players is No. 5 in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.1).
On top of the clutch plays made by individuals, Minnesota has also been elite as a team in the fourth quarter this season outscoring their opponents by 18 in the fourth quarter this season during conference play. In the fourth quarter in conference play the Gophers have shot 51.2 percent (44-of-86) from the floor and 43.5 percent (10-of-23) from beyond the arc.
Mara Braun leads the NCAA in free throw percentage at 94.4 percent, making 51-of-54 attempts this season. This year Braun is No. 3 in the Big Ten in scoring average (19.0), she's seventh nationally in threes made (53) and among Big Ten players is No. 4 in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.2).

BY THE NUMBERS
60 - This season Minnesota's scoring defense is ranked No. 2 in the Big Ten at 60.5 points per game.
11 - Minnesota is the youngest team in the Big Ten with 11 underclassmen.
15 - Mallory Heyer has made at least one three in 15 straight games.
5 - This season Minnesota's record is 5-3 against teams in the top 100 of the NET Rankings.
2 - Redshirt freshman Niamya Holloway hit her second career three against Indiana on Wednesday.

Minnesota will have Sunday and Monday to prepare for the first Border Battle of the 2023-24 season which will be contested on Jan. 23, in Madison at the Kohl Center. The game will be televised nationally on Big Ten Network.

For more information on the Gophers, continue to check back with GopherSports.com. Keep up with the University of Minnesota women's basketball on Twitter (X.com), Instagram (@GopherWBB) and on Facebook, so you do not miss any content during the 2023-24 season.

Upcoming Events

Players Mentioned

Amaya Battle

Mara Braun

Grace Grocholski

Mallory Heyer

Niamya Holloway