University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
20-10,8-10Big Ten
Michigan State
21-8,11-7Big Ten
Minnesota Falls to No. 23/22 Michigan State 73-58
3/1/2025 3:15:00 PM | Women's Basketball
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Grace Grocholski and Tori McKinney combined to score 40 total points - 69 percent of Minnesota's points - but the Golden Gophers (20-10, 8-10) fell to the Michigan State Spartans (21-8, 11-7 B1G) 73-58 on the road Saturday.
Grocholski led the Gophers with 23 points, six rebounds and four steals. McKinney tacked on 17 points and Amaya Battle chipped in as well with 11 points, seven rebounds and four assists.
How It Happened
After falling behind 11-5, Minnesota went on a 9-0 run with 2:36 left in the first quarter, culminating in a bucket from Annika Stewart, to take a 14-11 lead. The Gophers then lost some of that lead, but still entered the quarter break with a 14-13 advantage. Minnesota did most of its first quarter damage in the paint, scoring 10 of its 14 points close to the basket.
Michigan State rallied to take a 23-16 lead before Minnesota went on a 5-0 run starting at the 6:12 mark in the second period, highlighted by a three from Grocholski, to narrow its deficit to 23-21. The Gophers continued to chip away, reducing the Michigan State lead to 25-24 heading into the break.
Minnesota and Michigan State both put up 21 points in the third quarter, keeping the deficit even at 46-45 entering the fourth.
Minnesota came out of the third quarter break clicking on all cylinders, going on a 5-0 run, finished off by Grocholski's three, to seize a 50-46 lead with 9:20 to go in the contest. Michigan State re-asserted control, outscoring the Gophers 27-8 the rest of the way to hand Minnesota the 73-58 loss. Minnesota took advantage of two Michigan State turnovers in the quarter, scoring five points off of those takeaways.
Game Notes
» Grace Grocholski, Tori McKinney, and Amaya Battle combined to account for 88 percent of the Gophers points.
» Grace Grocholski led the Gophers with a game-high 23 points.
» Minnesota got seven rebounds from both Mallory Heyer and Amaya Battle.
