University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
14-8,4-7Big Ten
Michigan State
17-5,7-4Big Ten
Sanders scores 23 points in Minnesota's 76-65 loss to Michigan State
2/5/2024 7:03:00 PM | Women's Basketball
MINNEAPOLIS -- Janay Sanders totaled a season high 23 points, but the Minnesota women's basketball team fell to the Michigan State Spartans 76-65 at the Breslin Center in East Lansing on Monday night.
Sanders added two steals to her 23 point game to lead the Golden Gophers (14-8, 4-7 B1G). Mallory Heyer helped out with a double double, her second this season against the Spartans, registering 14 points and 11 rebounds while Sophie Hart chipped in with 10 points, nine rebounds and two blocks.
Minnesota out-rebounded Michigan State 42-35 in Monday's game, paced by Heyer's 11 boards. The Golden Gophers also grabbed 10 offensive rebounds and scored eight second chance points.
How It Happened
After falling behind 6-1, Minnesota went on a 7-0 run with 6:42 left in the first quarter, culminating in a three from Grace Grocholski, to take an 8-6 lead. The Golden Gophers then surrendered that lead and entered the second quarter down 20-14.
The Golden Gophers continued to lose ground in the second quarter and faced a 47-24 halftime deficit. Minnesota came out of halftime on fire, going on a 9-0 run, punctuated by a basket from Hart, to trim its deficit to 47-33 with 7:17 to go in the third. The Golden Gophers were unable to cut further into the deficit, but did not cede ground to Michigan State either and entered the fourth quarter trailing 60-46. Minnesota played well near the basket, scoring 12 of its 22 points in the paint.
Michigan State kept widening its lead in the fourth, constructing a 71-56 advantage before Minnesota went on a 6-0 run to shrink the deficit to 71-62 with 2:24 to go in the contest. Michigan State responded and outscored the Golden Gophers the rest of the way, ending the game with a final score of 76-65. Minnesota took advantage of its opportunities in the post, scoring 12 of its 19 points in the paint.
Game Notes
» Mallory Heyer now has four double doubles this season and averaged 16 points and 13 rebounds in two games against the Spartans.
» Amaya Battle recorded 10 assists for Minnesota, her third career 10-assist game and second this season.
» The Golden Gophers put on a passing clinic, recording an assist on 61 percent of made field goals.
» Janay Sanders led the Golden Gophers with a game-high 23 points.
