University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
9-3,0-1Big Ten
Drake
2-9,1-0MVC
Grocholski's Double-Double Leads Minnesota Past Drake 68-43
12/21/2025 4:28:00 PM | Women's Basketball
DES MOINESÂ -Â The University of Minnesota women's basketball team (9-3, 0-1 Big Ten) defeated the Drake Bulldogs (2-9, 1-0 Missouri Valley) 68-43 on the road at Knapp Arena on Sunday.Â
The Golden Gophers had three players score in double figures, led by Grace Grocholski, who notched a double-double with 18 points and 11 rebounds. Mara Braun tacked on 16 points and four steals and Finau Tonga chipped in as well with 12 points off of the bench.
Minnesota's defense held Drake to only 28.9 percent shooting from the field, including 19.2 percent from beyond the arc. The Bulldogs did not have much luck cleaning up their misses on the offensive glass either, as they finished with eight offensive rebounds and managed 10 second chance points while Minnesota cleared 29 defensive rebounds.
How It Happened
After falling behind 15-11, Minnesota went on a 9-0 run with 3:15 left in the first quarter, culminating in a bucket from Tonga, to take a 20-15 lead. The Gophers then maintained that lead and entered the quarter break with a 24-19 advantage.Â
The Maroon and Gold kept its first quarter lead intact before going on a 12-0 run starting at the 9:32 mark in the second period, highlighted by a bucket from Tonga, to increase its lead to 36-19. The Bulldogs cut into that lead, but the Gophers still enjoyed a 38-27 advantage heading into halftime. Minnesota was strong from deep in the period, knocking down two three-point shots to account for six of its 14 points.
Minnesota wasted no time building on its lead, going on a 7-0 run, punctuated by a basket from Grocholski, to expand its lead further to 45-27 with 6:32 to go in the third. Before the conclusion of the third period, the Bulldogs had cut into that lead somewhat, but the Gophers still entered the fourth quarter with a 53-36 edge. Minnesota played well near the basket, scoring 12 of its 15 points in the paint.
Minnesota started tacking on points in the fourth almost immediately, going on a 12-0 run, finished off by Brylee Glenn's layup, to grow the lead to 65-36 with 7:12 to go in the contest. The Bulldogs narrowed the margin somewhat before the game was over, but the Gophers still cruised the rest of the way for the 68-43 win. Minnesota fired away from deep in the quarter, knocking down two shots to account for six of its 15 points.
Game Notes
» Grace Grocholski notched a double-double for the Gophers with 18 points and 11 rebounds.
» The Gophers held the Bulldogs to only 28.9 percent shooting from the field.
» Minnesota had a great day defensively, holding Drake to 19 percent from beyond the arc on 26 attempts.
» The Gophers forced 21 Drake turnovers while committing only 10 on the other end.
» Minnesota had a 40-32 edge on the boards in the win.
» The Minnesota defense forced 21 turnovers.
» Minnesota cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 11 offensive boards in the game.
» Grocholski led the Gophers with a game-high 18 points.
» Minnesota got a game-high 11 rebounds from Grocholski.
