University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
14-1,2-1Big Ten
Wisconsin
10-4,1-2Big Ten
Minnesota Downs Wisconsin 59-50 in New Year's Eve Border Battle
12/31/2024 5:55:00 PM | Women's Basketball
The Golden Gophers are now 14-1 on the season
MADISON, Wis. - The Minnesota women's basketball team (14-1, 2-1 B1G) out-rebounded the Wisconsin Badgers (10-4, 1-2 B1G) 37-32 on the way to a 59-50 win on the road Tuesday afternoon.
The Golden Gophers had three players score in double figures, led by Amaya Battle, who had 13 points and six rebounds. Grace Grocholski tacked on 12 points and two steals and Sophie Hart helped out with 11 points and eight rebounds.
Minnesota out-rebounded Wisconsin 37-32 in Tuesday's game, led by eight boards from Hart. The Maroon & Gold also grabbed 10 offensive rebounds and scored five second chance points.
The Minnesota defense was effective at taking away the basketball in Tuesday's game, forcing 14 Wisconsin turnovers while committing nine. Those takeaways turned into 12 points on the other end of the floor. Grocholski's two steals led the way individually for the Gophers.
How It Happened
After jumping out to a 10-2 advantage, Minnesota went on a 13-0 run with 7:11 left in the first quarter, culminating in a three from Grocholski, to increase its lead to 23-2. The Golden Gophers then lost some of that lead, but still entered the quarter break with a 23-4 advantage. Minnesota relied on its three-point shooting in the period, knocking down four shots to account for 12 of its 23 points.
The Gophers maintained their lead in the game's second frame and entered halftime with a 36-19 edge. Minnesota forced two Wisconsin turnovers in the period and turned them into four points.
Minnesota continued to preserve its halftime lead before going on a 5-0 run to expand its lead further to 43-24 with 6:23 to go in the third. The Gophers held onto that lead for the rest of the frame and entered the fourth quarter with a 49-30 edge. Minnesota took advantage of six Wisconsin turnovers in the quarter, scoring four points off of takeaways.
The Maroon & Gold then held on for the victory in the fourth quarter. Minnesota took advantage of its opportunities in the post, scoring six of its 10 points in the paint.
Game Notes
» The Gophers held the Badgers to only 35.8 percent shooting from the field.
» The Maroon & Gold never trailed after taking a 23-4 first quarter lead.
» Minnesota had a 37-32 edge on the boards in the win.
» The Minnesota defense forced 14 turnovers.
» Minnesota cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 10 offensive boards in the game.
» Amaya Battle led the Gophers with 13 points.
» Minnesota got eight rebounds from both Sophie Hart and Mallory Heyer.
