University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
14-5,4-4Big Ten
Wisconsin
9-9,2-6Big Ten
Minnesota Drops Road Contest to Badgers, 59-56
1/23/2024 10:07:00 PM | Women's Basketball
MINNEAPOLIS -- The Minnesota women's basketball team had 13 fewer turnovers than Wisconsin, but fell 59-56 to the Badgers in Madison on Tuesday night.
The Golden Gophers (14-5, 4-4 B1G) had two players score in double figures, led by Wisconsin native Grace Grocholski, who had 13 points. Amaya Battle tacked on 12 points, four assists and two steals and Mara Braun added nine points, seven rebounds, two steals and three blocks.
The Minnesota defense was effective at taking away the basketball in Tuesday's game, forcing 18 Wisconsin turnovers while committing five. Those takeaways turned into 15 points on the other end of the floor. Braun's two steals led the way individually for the Golden Gophers.
How It Happened
Minnesota struggled out of the gate, falling behind 13-6 at the end of the first quarter. Minnesota then cut the Badgers lead to 17-13 before going on a 5-0 run, highlighted by a bucket from Grocholski, to take an 18-17 lead. The Badgers then responded to take a 26-24 lead heading into halftime.
Wisconsin continued to increase its lead after halftime, building a 42-32 advantage before Minnesota went on a 7-0 run, punctuated by a basket from Battle, to trim its deficit to 42-39 with 22 seconds 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 15 total points.
Minnesota took a lead late with a Grocholski three, but went 1-of-7 from the floor down the stretch and Wisconsin held on for a 59-56 win at home, snapping a three-game losing streak. Minnesota took advantage of its opportunities in the post, scoring 10 of its 17 points in the paint.
Game Notes
» Mallory Heyer has now hit a three in 17 straight games.
» Minnesota's Wisconsin natives combined to score 18 points with Grocholski scoring 13 and Ayianna Johnson scoring five.
» Minnesota is now 2-5 when trailing at halftime this season.
» Minnesota got a game-high seven rebounds from both Mallory Heyer and Mara Braun.
