The University of Minnesota women’s basketball team (22-11, 8-10 B1G) will compete in the quarterfinals of the WBIT on Thursday against the Gonzaga Bulldogs (24-10, 17-3 WCC). Tip off is set for 7 p.m. CT live from Williams Arena.
Minnesota (22-11, 8-10 B1G) vs. Gonzaga (24-10, 17-3 WCC)
Tip Time: 7 p.m. CT
Location: Williams Arena
Promotions: Students get in for FREE! Please show a valid student ID or sportspass at the Oak Street entrance. The first 50 students receive a $15 concessions voucher.
Gopher Notables
The WBIT bid marks Minnesota’s 18th postseason appearance and second consecutive season appearing in a national tournament. Last season, the Gophers made their seventh WNIT and advanced to the championship game for the first time in program history.
Minnesota collected two All-Big Ten Awards at the end of the regular season, as voted on by the league’s coaches and media. Amaya Battle and Grace Grocholski earned All-Big Ten Honorable mention nods, by both coaches and media. Senior Maggie Czinano was also named the team;s representative for the Sportsmanship Award for the second consecutive season.
Minnesota set a program record this season with 12 nonconference wins, surpassing the previous high of 11 set in seven different seasons, most recently in 2018-19.
On three occasions this season, five Gophers have scored in double digits (Montana, Illinois, Ohio State).On 10 occasions, four have scored in double figures (Nebraska, Prairie View A&M, UMass Lowell, Illinois, Houston, Rutgers, Maryland, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Oregon).
The Golden Gophers had 10 Academic All-Big Ten selections in Amaya Battle, Mara Braun, Maggie Czinano, Grace Grocholski, Sophie Hart, Mallory Heyer, Niamya Holloway, Kennedy Klick, McKenna Johnson, and Brynn Senden.
Battle, Grocholski, and Annika Stewart earned CSC Academic All-District nods on Tuesday.
About the Gonzaga Game
Minnesota and Gonzaga are meeting for the first time with the WBIT appearance being the first in program history. Against the WCC (West Coast Conference) the Maroon and Gold hold a record of 15-1.
The Golden Gophers last meeting against a WCC team was in last year’s first round WNIT game against the Pacific Tigers. Minnesota won, 77-62 at Williams Arena.
The Bulldogs won their 20th WCC title in a 68-61 victory over Santa Clara. They finished the conference season with a 17-3 record.
Yvonne Ejim was voted as the West Coast Conference Women’s Basketball Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the year for the second consecutive season. Head coach Lisa Fortier was named West Coast
Conference Coach of the Year for the third year in a row and seventh time overall. Allie Turner was named West Coast Conference Freshman of the Year.
The Bulldogs are led by Ejim, who averages 20.6 points per game, 9.1 rebounds, on a 52.6 % shooting clip. Turner’s 13.5 points per game is second overall, shooting 46.2%.
Second Round Recap
Minnesota defeated Missouri State, 78-71, in the second round of the WBIT on Sunday afternoon to advance to the WBIT quarterfinals.
Three Gophers scored in double digit points led by Annika Stewart and Grace Grocholski who both had 18. Amaya Battle followed behind with 15. It marked the seventh consecutive game Grocholski hit double figures and 22nd game this season the sophomore has reached the mark. Both Stewart and Grocholski were hot from arc. Stewart went 4-5, marking a season high while Grocholski was 4-8.
About the WBIT
The Women’s Basketball Invitation Tournament is in its second year as a 32-team postseason single-elimination tournament owned and funded by the NCAA. The competition is the second-best women’s basketball postseason tournament, behind the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament.
(info and stock photo courtesy of Gopher Sports)
