University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
12-5,3-3Big Ten
UCLA
16-1,6-0Big Ten
Minnesota Falls to No. 3 UCLA 76-58
1/14/2026 9:51:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Amaya Battle led Minnesota with 16 points followed by Mara Braun's 15
MINNEAPOLIS - The University of Minnesota women's basketball team (12-5, 3-3 Big Ten) collected 16 assists on 25 made shots, but the Golden Gophers fell to the No. 3-ranked UCLA Bruins (16-1, 6-0 Big Ten) 76-58 on Wednesday evening.
The Gophers had two players score in double figures, led by Amaya Battle, who had 16 points, seven rebounds, five assists and three steals. Mara Braun added 15 points and Sophie Hart added eight points, four assists and two steals.
The Minnesota defense caused its share of mistakes in Wednesday's game, forcing 17 UCLA turnovers while committing 10. Those takeaways turned into 18 points on the offensive end of the floor. Battle's three steals led the way individually for the Gophers.
How It Happened
Minnesota started out the scoring by going on a 5-0 run, culminating in a bucket from Battle, to take an early lead with 8:59 left in the first quarter. The Gophers then surrendered that lead and entered the second quarter down 17-9.
UCLA kept adding to that lead, building a 22-11 advantage before Minnesota went on a 5-0 run, highlighted by a bucket from Hart, to narrow its deficit to 22-16. UCLA responded and expanded its lead, leaving the Golden Gophers trailing 34-24 heading into halftime.
Minnesota's deficit continued to grow after halftime, and the Gophers faced a 51-39 disadvantage heading to the fourth quarter. Minnesota played well near the basket, scoring 10 of its 15 points in the paint.
UCLA kept widening its lead in the fourth, constructing a 69-50 advantage before Minnesota went on a 7-0 run, finished off by Battle's jumper, to shrink the deficit to 69-57 with 2:24 to go in the contest. UCLA responded and outscored the Gophers the rest of the way, ending the game with a final score of 76-58. Minnesota took advantage of its opportunities in the post, scoring 10 of its 19 points in the paint.
Game Notes
» The Gophers put on a passing clinic, recording an assist on 64 percent of made baskets.
» The Minnesota defense forced 17 turnovers.
» Minnesota cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 11 offensive boards in the game.
» Amaya Battle led the Gophers with 16 points.
» Minnesota got a team-high seven rebounds from Amaya Battle.
