University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
17-6,8-4Big Ten
Iowa
18-5,9-3Big Ten
Team Stats
Game Leaders
Players Mentioned
Minnesota Upsets No. 10 Iowa on the Road, 91-85
2/5/2026 8:34:00 PM | Women's Basketball
It’s the first top-10 win for Minnesota since 2018, and its first top-10 road victory since 2003
IOWA CITY - Led by a team-record 71.4 percent shooting performance from three-point range, the Minnesota women's basketball team (17-6, 8-4 Big Ten) knocked off No. 10 Iowa (18-5, 9-3) 91-85 on the road Thursday. The Golden Gophers handed the Hawkeyes their first loss at Carver-Hawkeye Arena this season and secured their first road win over Iowa since 2007.
The Gophers had five players score in double figures, led by Grace Grocholski, who had 21 points. Mara Braun added 16 points and Tori McKinney chipped in as well with 15 points. Amaya Battle added 12 points followed by Finau Tonga's 10.
Minnesota out-rebounded Iowa 41-28 in Thursday's game, paced by Battle's 14 boards. The Gophers also pulled down 14 offensive rebounds and scored 14 second chance points.
How It Happened
After falling behind 14-6, Minnesota went on a 7-0 run with 6:12 left in the first quarter, culminating in a bucket from Brylee Glenn, to narrow its deficit to 14-13. The Gophers deficit remained the same as they entered the second quarter trailing 25-24.
Iowa kept adding to that lead, building a 27-24 advantage before Minnesota went on an 8-0 run to take a 32-27 lead. The Gophers proceeded to tack on five points to that lead and enjoyed a 49-39 advantage heading into halftime. Minnesota was strong from deep in the period, knocking down four three-point shots to account for 12 of its 25 points.
After intermission, Minnesota added to its advantage and owned a 72-55 lead heading into the fourth quarter. Minnesota's bench made the most of its minutes in the period, as non-starters totaled six of the team's 23 third-quarter points.
Minnesota kept its lead intact before going on a 5-0 run, finished off by McKinney's layup, to grow the lead to 77-57 with 7:51 to go in the contest. The Hawkeyes narrowed the margin somewhat before the game was over, but the Golden Gophers still cruised the rest of the way for the 91-85 win. Minnesota took advantage of four Iowa turnovers in the quarter, scoring eight points off of those takeaways.
RAH FOR THE U OF M! pic.twitter.com/ObOLjfcQOI
— Minnesota Women's Basketball (@GopherWBB) February 6, 2026
Game Notes
» Minnesota shot a team record 71.4% (10-14) from arc.
» The win marked Minnesota's first road victory over Iowa since 2007 and win over the Hawkeyes since 2018.
» It was the first top 10 win over an opponent since Minnesota defeated No. 10 Maryland, 93-74, on Feb. 18, 2018.
» The win was the first top 10 road win since beating No.9 Stanford, 68-58, in the NCAA Second Round, 68-56
» Battle notched her third double-double of the season for the Gophers with 12 points and a career high 14 rebounds.
» Minnesota never trailed in the second half on its way to victory.
» Minnesota tallied 16 total assists in the game.
» Five Minnesota players scored 10 or more points.
» Minnesota had a 41-28 edge on the boards in the win.
» Minnesota cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 14 offensive boards in the game.
» Grocholski led the Gophers with 21 points.