The Minnesota women’s basketball team (24-11, 8-10 B1G) defeated the Florida Gators (19-18, 5-11 SEC) 66-52 on Monday evening at Hinkle Fieldhouse. With the win, the Golden Gophers will compete in the WBIT (Women’s Basketball Invitation Tournament) Championship against Belmont on Wednesday at 5 p.m. CT live on ESPNU.
The Gophers had four players score in double figures, led by Grace Grocholski, who had 20 points, six rebounds and four assists. Tori McKinney tacked on 14 points, six assists and three steals and Mallory Heyer helped out with her sixth double-double of the season with 13 points and a season high 15 rebounds.
The Minnesota offense was very productive from beyond the arc, knocking down eight threes on 23 attempts. Grocholski was the most prolific shooter for the Maroon & Gold, draining four treys in the contest.
How It Happened
After falling behind 5-2, Minnesota went on a 6-0 run with 7:50 left in the first quarter, culminating in a bucket from Grocholski, to take an 8-5 lead.
The Maroon & Gold then lost some of that lead, but still entered the quarter break with a 16-15 advantage. Minnesota did most of its first quarter damage in the paint, scoring eight of its 16 points close to the basket.
Florida rallied to take a 24-23 lead before Minnesota went on a 12-0 run starting at the 4:43 mark in the second period to take a 35-24 lead. The Gators cut into that lead, but the Gophers still enjoyed a 37-29 advantage heading into halftime. Minnesota was strong from deep in the period, knocking down three three-point shots to account for nine of its 21 points.
Minnesota continued to preserve its halftime lead before going on a 5-0 run, punctuated by a three from McKinney, to expand its lead further to 44-31 with 7:12 to go in the third. Before the conclusion of the third period, the Gators had cut into that lead somewhat, but the Gophers still entered the fourth quarter with a 52-40 edge. Minnesota played well near the basket, scoring eight of its 15 points in the paint.
Minnesota kept its lead intact before going on a 5-0 run, finished off by Heyer’s layup, to grow the lead to 66-50 with 40 seconds to go in the contest.
The Gators narrowed the margin somewhat before the game was over, but the Golden Gophers still cruised the rest of the way for the 66-52 win. Minnesota fired away from deep in the quarter, knocking down two shots to account for six of its 14 points.
Game Notes
» Mallory Heyer notched her sixth double-double for the Gophers with 13 points and a season high 15 rebounds.
» Minnesota lit it up from beyond the arc, knocking down eight treys in the game.
» The Gophers held the Gators to only 35 percent shooting from the field.
» Minnesota never trailed in the second half on its way to victory.
» Minnesota recorded 18 total assists in the game.
» Minnesota had a stellar day defensively, holding Florida to 19 percent from beyond the arc on 21 attempts.
» Minnesota had a 37-31 edge on the boards in the win.
» The Minnesota defense forced 16 turnovers.
» Minnesota cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 11 offensive boards in the game.
» Grace Grocholski led the Golden Gophers with a game-high 20 points.
(info and photo courtesy of Gopher Sports)
