The No. 17/18 University of Minnesota women’s basketball team (2-0, 0-0 Big Ten) earned an 87-79 victory over the Marquette Golden Eagles (1-1, 0-0 BIG EAST) at the Al McGuire Center on Saturday afternoon.
The Golden Gophers had five players score in double figures, led by Grace Grocholski, who had a double-double with 25 points and 11 rebounds. Harmon added 17 points and four steals. Freshmen Natalie Kussow and Tori Oehrlein chipped in as well with 12 points while Mara Braun had 11.
Led by Grocholski’s six offensive rebounds, Minnesota pulled down 21 boards that resulted in 21 second-chance points. Minnesota forced 17 Marquette turnovers while committing 11 themselves in Saturday’s game. The Gophers turned those takeaways into 23 points on the other end of the floor. Harmon’s four steals led the way for Minnesota.
How It Happened
Minnesota started out the scoring by going on a 12-0 run, to take an early lead with 6:43 left in the first quarter. The Maroon and Gold then lost some of that lead, but still entered the quarter break with a 20-19 advantage. Minnesota relied on its three-point shooting in the period, knocking down three shots to account for nine of its 20 points.
Marquette rallied to take a 26-24 lead before Minnesota went on an 8-0 run starting at the 6:01 mark in the second period to take a 32-26 lead. The Gophers proceeded to tack on two points to that lead and enjoyed a 41-33 advantage heading into halftime.
The Maroon and Gold continued to preserve its halftime lead before going on a 7-0 run, punctuated by a basket from Grocholski, to expand its lead further to 60-46 with 2:53 to go in the third. The Gophers held onto that lead for the rest of the frame and entered the fourth quarter with a 66-52 edge. Minnesota’s bench made the most of its minutes in the period, as non-starters totaled seven of the team’s 25 third-quarter points.
The Gophers then held on for the victory in the fourth quarter. Minnesota fired away from deep in the quarter, knocking down three shots to account for nine of its 21 points.
DAWN DISCUSSES
Gopher head coach Dawn Plitzuweit spoke with Tanner Hoops and Lynette Sjoquist on the Gophers Sports Network from Learfield:
Dawn Plitzuweit
Game Notes
» Grace Grocholski notched a double-double for the Gophers with a team-leading 25 points and 11 rebounds.
» Minnesota lit it up from three point land, knocking down 12 treys in the game.
» The Maroon and Gold never trailed in the second half on its way to victory.
» Minnesota tallied 20 total assists in the game.
» Five Gophers scored in double figures.
» Minnesota had a 40-24 edge on the boards in the win.
» The Maroon and Gold defense forced 17 turnovers.
» Minnesota cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 21 offensive boards in the game.
» Tayla Thomas contributed 10 rebounds.
(info and photo courtesy of Gopher Sports)
