University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
18-6,9-4Big Ten
Rutgers
9-15,1-12Big Ten
Team Stats
Game Leaders
Players Mentioned
Minnesota Tops Rutgers 63–52 for Sixth Consecutive Big Ten Win
2/8/2026 1:01:00 PM | Women's Basketball
PISCATAWAY, N.J. - The Minnesota women's basketball team (18-6, 9-4 Big Ten) defeated the Rutgers Scarlet Knights (9-15, 1-10 Big Ten) in a 63-52 win on the road Sunday.
The Golden Gophers had three players score in double figures, led by Sophie Hart, who notched a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Tori McKinney added 16 points and Mara Braun helped out with 12 points.
Minnesota forced 15 Rutgers turnovers while committing only five themselves in Sunday's game. The Gophers turned those takeaways into 15 points on the offensive end of the floor. Grace Grocholski led the way individually with three steals.
How It Happened
After falling behind 12-7, Minnesota went on a 5-0 run with 51 seconds left in the first quarter, culminating in a bucket from Hart, to tie the game at 12, a score that would hold for the rest of the period. Minnesota relied on its three-point shooting in the period, knocking down two shots to account for six of its 12 points.
The Scarlet Knights then eked out an advantage in quarter number two as the Gophers headed into the breaking trailing 25-22.
Minnesota came out of halftime rallying and had constructed a 36-35 lead before going on a 5-0 run, punctuated by a basket from Braun, to expand its lead further to 41-35 with 2:09 to go in the third. Before the third period was over, the Gophers added two points to that lead and entered the fourth quarter with a 45-37 edge. Minnesota scored five fast break points in the quarter.
The Gophers coasted to the win from there, increasing their margin of victory by outscoring the Scarlet Knights 18-15 in the fourth quarter. Minnesota took advantage of its opportunities in the post, scoring 12 of its 18 points in the paint.
Game Notes
» Hart notched a double-double for the Gophers with 17 points and 10 rebounds.
» The Gophers forced 15 Rutgers turnovers while committing only five on the other end.
» Minnesota had a 39-35 edge on the boards in the win.
» The Minnesota defense forced 15 turnovers.
» Minnesota turned the ball over five times while dishing out 14 assists.
» Minnesota cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 15 offensive boards in the game.
» Hart led the Gophers with 17 points.
» Minnesota got a game-high 10 rebounds from Sophie Hart.