The University of Minnesota women’s basketball team (19-6, 7-6 B1G) hits the road this week to face No. 9/8 Ohio State (20-3, 9-3 B1G) at the Schottenstein Center on Thursday, February 13.
Minnesota (19-6, 7-6 B1G) vs. No. 9/8 (20-3, 9-3 B1G)
Tip Time: 6:30 p.m. CT
Location: Schottenstein Center
About the Ohio State Game
Minnesota and Ohio State are meeting for the 83rd time, with the Buckeyes holding a 66-16 advantage in the series that began in 1976. The Golden Gophers are 3-30 in Columbus and 11-25 at Williams Arena.
The Buckeyes have won the last 13 games overall against Minnesota, with the last win for the Gophers on Feb. 24, 2016, which was at Williams Arena against No. 5 Ohio State (90-88).
Ohio State returns this Thursday after a road trip out west to compete against No. 1/1 UCLA and No. 7/7 USC. The Buckeyes are third in the Big Ten and have dropped only three games this season to Penn State (62-59), UCLA (65-52), and USC (84-63).
The Buckeyes are coming off a 83-64 loss to the USC Trojans on Saturday, February 8th. Four Buckeyes finished with double-digit points, including Taylor Thierry’s team-leading 14 points.
Offensively, they are led by junior forward Cotie McMahon, who averages 16.2 points per game, 4.7 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.4 steals per game on 42.2% shooting.
Other notable players for the Buckeyes include freshman guard Jaloni Cambridge (14.8 points per game, 4.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.9 steals per game on 43.8% shooting) and junior guard Chance Gray (14.0 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game on 41.1% shooting).
Gopher Notables
Minnesota set a program record with 12 nonconference wins, surpassing the previous high of 11 set in seven different seasons, most recently in 2018-19.
The Maroon & Gold’s game against Iowa marked the ninth game this season in which four Gophers scored in double digits (Nebraska, Prairie View A&M, UMass Lowell, Illinois, Houston, Rutgers, Maryland, Wisconsin, and Iowa).
Junior guard Amaya Battle became the 28th Gopher to reach 1,000 career points against Indiana on Sunday. Battle also has 475 career rebounds. This season she leads Minnesota in points (294), steals (47), assists (101), and is second overall in rebounds (129).
Junior forward Mallory Heyer became the first Gopher since the 2022-23 season to record back-to-back double-doubles. Against the Hawkeyes, Heyer put away 10 points and 10 rebounds. She followed up against the Hoosiers collecting 10 points and 13 rebounds. Her 13 rebounds are a team high this season. She leads all Gophers with 183 boards and is 11th in the Big Ten.
Senior Sophie Hart has made a big impact in her last five games. The center is averaging 11.4 points and 5.6 boards. Against USC, Hart hit a career high 18 points and has hit double digit figures in her last three of five games.
Three Gophers are atop the Big Ten’s assist/turnover ratio rankings. Tori McKinney (No. 1, 2.57 value), Alexsia Rose (No. 2, 2.5 value), and Maggie Czinano (No. 2, 2.5 value).
(info and stock photo courtesy of Gopher Sports)
