The Minnesota women’s basketball team (15-1, 3-1 B1G) fought back from an 11-point deficit to beat the Illinois Fighting Illini (11-4, 1-3 B1G) 68-61 at Williams Arena on Sunday afternoon. The win also marked head coach Dawn Plitzuweit’s 400th career win. Plitzuweit has a career record of 400-158 and is 35-17 in her second season leading the Golden Gophers.
The Maroon & Gold had five players score in double figures, led by Grace Grocholski, who had 19 points, seven rebounds and three steals. Annika Stewart tacked on 11 points off of the bench and Tori McKinney helped out with 11 points and five assists.
Minnesota grabbed 40 rebounds in Sunday’s game compared to Illinois’ 39, led by Mallory Heyer’s 10 boards.
The Minnesota defense held Illinois shooters to only 35 percent from the field. The Fighting Illini did not get many second opportunities on the offensive end, as they grabbed only nine offensive rebounds and scored four second chance points while Minnesota pulled down 31 defensive rebounds.
How It Happened
Minnesota started out the scoring by going on a 7-0 run, culminating in a bucket from Sophie Hart, to take an early lead with 7:22 left in the first quarter. The Gophers then surrendered that lead and entered the second quarter down 18-15.
Minnesota then started off the second quarter by going on a 5-0 run, highlighted by a bucket from Amaya Battle, to take a 20-18 lead. The Fighting Illini then battled back to even it up at 27-27 heading into halftime. Minnesota was strong from deep in the period, knocking down two three-point shots to account for six of its 12 points.
After intermission, Illinois snatched a 46-35 lead before Minnesota answered back by going on a 5-0 run to trim its deficit to 46-40 with 17 seconds to go in the third. Illinois countered and stretched its lead to 48-40 heading into the fourth. Minnesota played well near the basket, scoring eight of its 13 points in the paint.
Minnesota narrowed its deficit to 59-55 before going on an 8-0 run to seize a 63-59 lead with 52 seconds to go in the contest. The Gophers kept expanding the margin and coasted the rest of the way for the 68-61 win. Minnesota got a boost from its bench in the period, with non-starters scoring seven of its 28 total points.
Game Notes
» The win marked head coach Dawn Plitzuweit’s 400th career win. Plitzuweit has a career record of 400-158 and is 35-17 in her second season leading the Golden Gophers.
» Mallory Heyer notched a double-double for the Golden Gophers with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
» The Gophers rallied from an eight-point 48-40 third quarter deficit to pick up the win.
» The Maroon & Gold held the Fighting Illini to only 35 percent shooting from the field.
» Five Minnesota players scored 10 or more points.
» Minnesota had a 40-39 edge on the boards in the win.
» The Minnesota defense forced 15 turnovers.
» Grace Grocholski led the Gophers with 19 points.
» Minnesota got a team-high 10 rebounds from Mallory Heyer.
(info and photo courtesy of Gopher Sports)
