University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
14-10,4-9Big Ten
Rutgers
8-19,2-12Big Ten
Grocholski hits Seven Threes in Minnesota's 81-73 loss at Rutgers
2/13/2024 8:27:00 PM | Women's Basketball
MINNEAPOLIS -- True freshman Grace Grocholski made a career high seven 3-pointers, and totaled 23 points, but the Minnesota women's basketball team fell to the Rutgers Scarlet Knights 81-73 on the road Tuesday at Jersey Mike's Arena.
Grocholski's 23-point effort led the Golden Gophers (14-10, 4-9 B1G) while sophomore Amaya Battle helped out with seven points, eight rebounds, 10 assists and two steals. Junior center Sophie Hart chipped in with 17 points and seven rebounds, scoring 10 of those in the second half.
The Minnesota defense turned 15 Rutgers turnovers in 16 points on Tuesday while holding the advantage in second-chance points, 21-10.
How It Happened
After jumping out to an 11-8 advantage, Minnesota went on a 7-0 run with 3:09 left in the first quarter, culminating in a bucket from Battle, to increase its lead to 18-8, a score that would hold for the rest of the period. Minnesota relied on its three-point shooting in the period, knocking down three shots to account for nine of its 18 points.
The Golden Gophers surrendered their lead in the second quarter and entered halftime with the score tied 27-27. Minnesota saw non-starters score four of its nine total points off the bench in the quarter.
Rutgers proceeded to claw their way ahead after halftime, leaving Minnesota trailing 52-48 as the game entered the fourth quarter. Minnesota knocked down three three-pointers in the quarter to score nine of its 21 total points.
Rutgers kept widening its lead in the fourth, constructing a 59-52 advantage before Minnesota went on a 5-0 run, finished off by Hart's layup, to shrink the deficit to 59-57 with 6:34 to go in the contest. Rutgers responded and outscored the Golden Gophers the rest of the way, scoring 29 points in the final frame to secure the 81-73 victory. Minnesota fired away from deep in the quarter, knocking down four shots to account for 12 of its 25 points.
Game Notes
» Amaya Battle's 10 assists is her fourth career 10-assist game, tying with her Nikki Coates (1990-94) for the fifth-most in school history.
» The Golden Gophers shared the ball well, recording an assist on 63 percent of made field goals.
» Grace Grocholski, who made seven threes, is the only Big Ten freshman to hit six or more threes in a game this season.
» Minnesota's 15 offensive rebounds were the most the Gophers secured since Jan. 3, against Maryland.
