University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
14-7,4-6Big Ten
Penn State
16-5,7-3Big Ten
Four Gophers Reach Double Figures in 80-64 Loss to Penn State
1/31/2024 9:21:00 PM | Women's Basketball
MINNEAPOLIS -- The Minnesota women's basketball team out-rebounded the Penn State Lady Lions 38-36, but fell 80-64 at Williams Arena on Wednesday night.
The Golden Gophers (14-7, 4-6 B1G) had four players score in double figures, led by Sophie Hart, who had 13 points, seven rebounds and two steals. Janay Sanders, making her first start with the Gophers, tacked on 13 points and two steals and Grace Grocholski helped out with 12 points.
Hart pulled down three offensive rebounds to pace an offense that racked up second chance opportunities for Minnesota, grabbing 14 boards and turning them into 10 second chance points.
Minnesota forced 15 Penn State turnovers that led to 14 points.
How It Happened
Minnesota had open shots early in the contest, but Penn State countered with elite shooting from beyond the arc, knocking down four triples in the first nine minutes to lead 23-12.
Penn State kept adding to that lead, building a 27-15 advantage before Minnesota went on a 5-0 run to narrow its deficit to 27-20. Penn State responded and expanded its lead, leaving the Golden Gophers trailing 40-28 heading into halftime.
Penn State continued to increase its lead after halftime, building a 43-28 advantage before Minnesota went on a 5-0 run to trim its deficit to 43-33 with 7:28 to go in the third. Penn State countered and stretched its lead to 58-45 heading into the fourth. Minnesota played well near the basket, scoring 14 of its 17 points in the paint.
Penn State kept widening its lead in the fourth, constructing a 78-55 advantage before Minnesota went on a 5-0 run to shrink the deficit to 78-60 with 1:32 to go in the contest. The Golden Gophers kept fighting late, but Penn State managed to hold on for the 80-64 win.
Game Notes
» Mallory Heyer has hit at least one three in 19 straight games.
» In her first start at Minnesota Janay Sanders finished with a season high 13 points.
» Amaya Battle's free throw streak hit 22 straight before she missed her first in the third quarter.
» Minnesota shot 9-of-16 (56.3 percent) from the floor in the fourth quarter.
