The Minnesota women’s basketball team (10-0, 0-0 Big Ten) held North Florida (2-7, 0-0 ASUN) to just 19 percent from beyond the arc in a 4-for-21 shooting performance on the way to a 90-44 victory over the Ospreys at home Tuesday.
The Golden Gophers had six players score in double figures, led by Grace Grocholski, who had 15 points. Annika Stewart tacked on 15 points off of the bench and Sophie Hart helped out with 12 points.
Minnesota shared the ball well in Tuesday’s game, racking up 22 assists on 34 made field goals. Individually, Alexsia Rose led the way for the Maroon and Gold with seven assists.
Minnesota’s defense held North Florida to only 28.6 percent shooting from the field, including 19 percent from beyond the arc.
How It Happened
After jumping out to an 11-4 advantage, Minnesota went on a 15-0 run with 5:03 left in the first quarter, culminating in a bucket from Amaya Battle, to increase its lead to 26-4. The Gophers then added five points to that lead by the end of the period and entered the quarter break with a 33-6 advantage.
Minnesota got a great contribution from its bench in the period, as non-starters accounted for nine of its 33 total points.
Minnesota kept its first quarter lead intact before going on an 8-0 run starting at the 2:24 mark in the second period, highlighted by a bucket from Hart, to increase its lead to 52-18, a score that would hold until halftime. Minnesota dominated in the paint, scoring 14 of its 19 points close to the basket.
After intermission, Minnesota held on to its advantage and owned a 67-34 lead heading into the fourth quarter. Minnesota played well near the basket, scoring eight of its 15 points in the paint.
Minnesota started tacking on points in the fourth almost immediately, going on a 10-0 run to grow the lead to 77-34 with 6:59 to go in the contest. The
Gophers kept expanding the margin and coasted the rest of the way for the 90-44 win. Minnesota got a boost from its bench in the period, with non-starters scoring 16 of its 23 total points.
Game Notes
» Minnesota found success from beyond the arc, knocking down eight treys in the game.
» The Gophers held the Ospreys to only 28.6 percent shooting from the field.
» The Maroon and Gold never trailed after taking a 33-6 first quarter lead.
» Minnesota tallied 22 total assists in the game.
» Minnesota had a great day defensively, holding North Florida to 19 percent from three point land on 21 attempts.
» The Minnesota bench made an impact by scoring 40 points to its scoring output.
» Six Minnesota players scored 10 or more points.
» Annika Stewart and Taylor Woodson came off the bench to score 15 and 11 points, respectively.
» Minnesota had a 38-29 edge on the boards in the win.
» The Minnesota defense forced 20 turnovers.
» The Gophers were active in affecting shots on the defensive end, recording seven blocks as a team.
» Grace Grocholski and Annika Stewart led the Gophers with a game-high 15 points apiece.
» Minnesota got a game-high eight rebounds from McKenna Johnson.
(info and photo courtesy of Gopher Sports)
