University of Minnesota Athletics

Tuesday, January 9
Ann Arbor, MI
7:00 PM

University of Minnesota

12-3,2-2Big Ten

82
at
66

Michigan

11-5,2-2Big Ten

1
2
3
4
F
Minnesota
17
24
12
29
82
Michigan
14
21
19
12
66
Battle Amaya
Photo by: Bjorn Franke

Minnesota Drops Michigan in Ann Arbor, 82-66

1/9/2024 8:58:00 PM | Women's Basketball

The Gophers outscored the Wolverines 29-12 in the fourth quarter.

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Minnesota women's basketball team rallied from a 54-53 deficit after the third quarter to knock off the Michigan Wolverines 82-66 in Ann Arbor on Tuesday. 

The Golden Gophers (12-3, 2-2 B1G) had four players score in double figures, led by Mallory Heyer, who had 21 points. Grace Grocholski added 19 points and Mara Braun helped out with 17 points and four assists. Grocholski scored 16 of her 19 points in the fourth quarter to help secure the comeback for the Maroon and Gold. Amaya Battle also added 13 points, nine rebounds and four assists in 34 minutes. 

Led by Sophie Hart's four offensive rebounds, Minnesota did a great job crashing the offensive glass, pulling down 10 boards that resulted in 11 second chance points.

How It Happened

Minnesota started the game with an early 9-2 run, culminating with a bucket from Braun who scored five of the first nine points. Michigan responded by scoring 12 of the next 20 points to trail 17-14 after the first 10 minutes of action. Minnesota relied on its three-point shooting in the period, knocking down three shots to account for nine of its 17 points.

Michigan rallied to take a 31-29 lead before Minnesota went on a 10-0 run starting at the 2:27 mark in the second period to take a 39-31 lead. The Wolverines cut into that lead, but the Golden Gophers still enjoyed a 41-35 advantage heading into halftime. Minnesota scored six of its 24 total points in the period on second chance opportunities created by pulling down four offensive rebounds.

Minnesota then lost its advantage in the third quarter and trailed the Wolverines 54-53 entering the fourth. Mallory Heyer knocked down three three-pointers in the quarter to score nine of its 12 total points.

Minnesota managed to gain control and had a 59-58 lead before going on an 11-0 run, finished off by Grocholski's three, to grow the lead to 70-58 with 4:32 to go in the contest. The Golden Gophers kept expanding the margin and coasted the rest of the way for the 82-66 win. Minnesota fired away from deep in the quarter, knocking down six shots to account for 18 of its 29 points.

Game Notes

» The win for Minnesota is the first at Crisler Center since Feb. 1, 2014, when the Gophers won 85-69. 
» The Gophers shot 54 percent (15-of-28) from three, the first time the team has shot 50 percent or better from beyond the arc against Michigan since Jan. 15, 2017. 
» Mallory Heyer hit a career high six threes and Grace Grocholski tied her career high by hitting five.
» Minnesota had a 34-30 edge on the boards in the win.
» The Gophers had less than 10 turnovers against Michigan for the first time since Feb. 14, 2018. 
» Mallory Heyer led the Golden Gophers with a season-high 21 points.

Team Stats

MINN
Mich
FG%
.475
.411
3FG%
.536
.381
FT%
.846
.750
RB
34
30
TO
9
9
STL
3
6

Game Leaders

Pts
21
FGM
7
3FGM
6
FTM
1
Pts
19
FGM
6
3FGM
5
FTM
2
Pts
17
FGM
5
3FGM
4
FTM
3
Pts
13
FGM
5
3FGM
0
FTM
3

Players Mentioned

G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
G/F
/ Women's Basketball
C
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's Basketball
Making Connections: Brylee Glenn & Niamya Holloway
Wednesday, October 22
Making Connections: Sophie Hart & Zoey Bershers
Friday, October 17
Behind the Scenes: B1G Media Day
Tuesday, October 14
Braun & Battle at B1G Media Day
Wednesday, October 08