Minnesota earned an impressive first-round WNIT victory over Green Bay 73-65 on Thursday, but a 78-56 loss to South Dakota State on Sunday has officially ended its 2021-22 season.

Scalia’s big night leads Minnesota over Green Bay

The Gophers drew Green Bay in their first-round women’s NIT matchup. The Phoenix compiled a 19-7 record in the Horizon League earning themselves an opportunity to host this game, causing Minnesota to travel to its neighboring state.

It was a tightly contested game for 30 minutes. Green Bay led by as many as nine points, but the Gophers trailed by six heading into the final quarter of play.

Junior guard Sara Scalia’s dominant offensive performance helped Minnesota prevail in the fourth quarter. After outscoring Green Bay 27-13 in the final 10 minutes, the Gophers picked up the victory 73-65.

Scalia finished the game with 33 points, seven rebounds and five assists, while playing all 40 minutes for the Maroon & Gold. Kadi Sissoko was second on the team with 18 points and 14 rebounds.

Slow third quarter costs Gophers against South Dakota State

In the second round, the Gophers traveled to Brookings, South Dakota, for a matchup with South Dakota State. The Jackrabbits entered with a 24-9 record competing in the Summit League.

It was another competitive first half of basketball. Led by a team-high eight points from Sara Scalia, the Gophers trailed 33-30 at halftime.

The Gophers’ post-play struggles came up again through 20 minutes of play. Trailing 18-6 in points scored in the paint and 21-14 in total rebounding, they had clear room for improvement in the second half.

Minnesota struggled to get anything going offensively in the third quarter, shooting 2-13 from the field as a team. South Dakota State took advantage, jumping out to a 19-point lead heading into the fourth.

The hole was too big for the Gophers to dig themselves out of, ultimately falling 78-56 to the Jackrabbits.

The Gophers shot 34% from the field as a team, trailed 45-30 in total rebounds and trailed 36-16 in points scored in the paint.

Minnesota finished the 2021-22 season with a 15-18 record and will now shift its focus to the offseason, with four graduate students and one senior on the roster.