University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
14-9,4-8Big Ten
Ohio State
20-3,11-1Big Ten
Minnesota Comes Up Short in 71-47 Loss to No. 5/5 Ohio State
2/8/2024 10:34:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Janay Sanders led the way with 16 points on Thursday night.
MINNEAPOLIS -- The University of Minnesota women's basketball team fell short in a 71-47 loss to the Ohio State Buckeyes at Williams Arena on Thursday night.
Janay Sanders led the Golden Gophers (14-9, 4-8) with 16 points while Sophie Hart helped out with seven points and six rebounds. Sophomore Amaya Battle registered seven points, seven rebounds, six assists and two steals in the loss.
How It Happened
The opening quarter saw Minnesota hold the visiting Buckeyes to just 26 percent from the floor. Despite keeping Ohio State off the scoreboard the Gophers still trailed 14-13.
The strong defensive performance continued in the second quarter for the 'U', holding Ohio State to just 29 first half points. The Gophers used a 8-2 run to end the half to trail the No. 5 team in the country by just five at 29-24.
Ohio State started the second half with a 9-0 run that pushed the lead back into double figures. The run extended to 16-5 to push the Buckeye lead to 45-29 and eventually to a 55-31 deficit at the end of the third quarter.
Ohio State widened its lead in the fourth, constructing a 66-41 advantage before Minnesota went on a 5-0 run to shrink the deficit to 66-46 with 1:58 to go in the contest. Ohio State responded and outscored the Golden Gophers the rest of the way, ending the game with a final score of 71-47. Minnesota took advantage of its opportunities in the post, scoring 10 of its 16 points in the fourth quarter in the paint.
Game Notes
» Janay Sanders has averaged 17.3 points per game since joining the starting lineup.
» Mallory Heyer has made at least one three in 21 consecutive games.
» Minnesota got seven rebounds from both Mallory Heyer and Amaya Battle.
