University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
17-2,5-2Big Ten
Northwestern
7-10,0-6Big Ten
Minnesota Rallies from Second-Half Deficit to Knock off Northwestern 87-82
1/19/2025 4:14:00 PM | Women's Basketball
The Gophers return to Williams Arena this week to face Michigan
EVANSTON, Ill. - The Minnesota women's basketball team (17-2, 5-2 B1G) fought back from an 11-point deficit at 76-65 with 6:14 remaining in the fourth quarter to knock off the Northwestern Wildcats (7-9, 0-6 B1G) 87-82 on the road Sunday afternoon.
The Golden Gophers had three players score in double figures, led by Grace Grocholski, who recorded a double-double with 27 points and 10 rebounds. Amaya Battle added 18 points, six rebounds and six assists and Tori McKinney helped out with 13 points and four assists.
Minnesota utilized excellent ball movement in Sunday's game, piling up 17 assists on 29 made field goals. Battle's six assists were the most for the Gophers.
How It Happened
After falling behind 21-17, Minnesota went on a 6-0 run with 56 seconds left in the first quarter, culminating in a three from Grocholski, to take a 23-21 lead, a score that would hold for the rest of the period. Minnesota did most of its first quarter damage in the paint, scoring 14 of its 23 points close to the basket.
Minnesota built that first quarter lead to 26-23 before going on a 5-0 run starting at the 8:19 mark in the second period, highlighted by a three from McKinney, to increase its lead to 31-23. The Wildcats then came roaring back to take a 44-40 lead heading into halftime.
Northwestern continued to increase its lead after halftime, building a 55-48 advantage before Minnesota went on a 5-0 run, punctuated by a basket from Alexsia Rose, to trim its deficit to 55-53 with 3:40 to go in the third. Northwestern countered and stretched its lead to 69-58 heading into the fourth. Minnesota turned two offensive rebounds into five second chance points on the way to scoring 18 total points in the quarter.
Northwestern kept widening its lead in the fourth, constructing a 76-61 advantage before Minnesota went on a 9-0 run, finished off by Annika Stewart's layup, to shrink the deficit to 76-70 with 5:00 to go in the contest. The Gophers kept the rally going and took the lead for good on Caileigh Walsh's layup with 00:26 left for an 87-82 comeback victory. Minnesota got a boost from its bench in the period, with non-starters scoring 11 of its 29 total points.
Game Notes
» Grace Grocholski notched an impressive double-double for the Gophers with 27 points and 10 rebounds.
» The Gophers rallied from an 11-point 69-58 third quarter deficit to pick up the win.
» The Maroon & Gold shot well from three point range, knocking down seven of 16 long range attempts.
» Minnesota tallied 17 total assists in the game.
» Minnesota had a 37-30 edge on the boards in the win.
» Minnesota turned the ball over eight times while dishing out 17 assists.
» Grace Grocholski led the Gophers with a game-high 27 points.
» Minnesota got a team-high 10 rebounds from Grace Grocholski.
