maya Battle reached 1,000 career points to lead the Minnesota women’s basketball team (19-6, 7-6 B1G) over the Indiana Hoosiers (15-8, 7-5 B1G) 66-56 at home on Sunday afternoon.
The Golden Gophers had three players score in double figures, led by Battle, who had 16 points, seven rebounds and five assists. Sophie Hart added 14 points and eight rebounds and Heyer helped out with her third double-double this season, collecting 10 points and 13 rebounds.
Minnesota utilized great ball movement in Sunday’s game, piling up 15 assists on 23 made field goals. Battle’s five assists led the distribution list for the Maroon & Gold and Grace Grocholski also added four assists of her own.
Minnesota’s defense held Indiana to only 37.5 percent shooting from the field. The Hoosiers did not have much luck cleaning up their misses on the offensive glass either, as they finished with three offensive rebounds and managed three second chance points while Minnesota cleared 33 defensive rebounds.
How It Happened
Minnesota kept it close in the first quarter, but entered the second frame down 17-13.
Indiana kept adding to that lead, building a 22-17 advantage before Minnesota went on an 8-0 run, highlighted by a bucket from Battle, to take a 25-22 lead. The Hoosiers cut into that lead, but the Gophers still enjoyed a 29-27 advantage heading into halftime. Minnesota dominated in the paint, scoring 10 of its 16 points close to the basket.
Minnesota continued to preserve its halftime lead before going on a 7-0 run, punctuated by a three from Grocholski, to expand its lead further to 40-32 with 6:14 to go in the third. Before the third period was over, the
Gophers added one point to that lead and entered the fourth quarter with a 50-41 edge. Minnesota turned two offensive rebounds into four second chance points on the way to scoring 21 total points in the quarter.
The Maroon & Gold coasted to the win from there, increasing their margin of victory by outscoring the Hoosiers 16-15 in the fourth quarter.
Game Notes
» Amaya Battle became the 28th Golden Gopher to reach 1,000 career points.
» Mallory Heyer notched a double-double for the Gophers with 10 points and 13 rebounds.
» The Gophers held the Hoosiers to only 37.5 percent shooting from the field.
» Minnesota never trailed in the second half on its way to victory.
» Minnesota tallied 15 total assists in the game.
» Minnesota had a 43-25 edge on the boards in the win.
» Minnesota cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 10 offensive boards in the game.
» Amaya Battle led the Gophers with a game-high 16 points.
(info and photo courtesy of Gopher Sports)
