This week, the Gopher women’s basketball team earned their first AP Top 25 ranking of the season, checking in at No. 23. It was a long overdue recognition of the run the team has been on in recent weeks.
The Gophers didn’t waste any time proving this recognition was deserved.
On Wednesday night, the Gophers faced the No. 10 Ohio State University Buckeyes in a key late season matchup. The Gophers delivered under the pressure, earning a 74-61 win.
With the conference tournament creeping up and March Madness just a month away, momentum matters more than ever and the Gophers were able to build on that with their ninth straight win.
Standout performances
Depth and versatility have defined the Gophers all season. On any given night, any player can step up and lead the way. This time, it was the graduate center, Sophie Hart, who set the tone for Minnesota.
Hart had a season high in points with 18 and her 10 rebounds secured her the double-double. She added two assists and two steals, being one of the most stable players throughout the game. When Minnesota needed someone to rely on, she was there to collect rebounds, get off a shot, and keep them in it.
Senior Amaya Battle matched Hart with a double-double of her own, continuing to show up as a playmaker. With five assists on the night, Battle moved into sole possession of second place on Minnesota’s all-time assists list, surpassing program legend Lindsay Whalen.
Redshirt junior Mara Braun continued her excellent play as of recently as well, reaching double figures in points for the sixth time in her last seven games. Her offensive confidence is clearly returning and it’s happening at the right time.
Game Changer
The night didn’t start smoothly though. It took some time for the offensive rhythm to develop for the Gophers. They didn’t unravel though, as they might have earlier in the season when trailing. They were able to lean on their defense and trailed by just three points at halftime. It was a testament to their composure and grit.
Hart in particular, helped keep Minnesota in the game as the rest of the offense searched for their spark. That spark came early in the third quarter from a 3-point shot from Braun. The Barn got loud and the energy shifted in this moment.
The tight game quickly tilted into a controlled Minnesota lead. The Buckeyes were forced to change and were never able to recover.
Going Forward
There’s a special feeling to this team now and they’re peaking at the right time. Something is brewing at Williams Arena and it could be a problem for the rest of the league if it continues.
What made this win standout wasn’t their ability to beat the Buckeyes by 13 points. It was the response they had when trailing. They answered with resilience, a quality that head coach Dawn Plitzuweit has emphasized all season.
Earlier in the year, cold shooting nights against top teams sometimes spiraled out of control, like their losses to the University of Kansas and Alabama. Against Ohio State, they stayed calm and let the offense come naturally.
That’s one of the biggest signs of growth and makes it clear that they can compete with the top teams in the nation.
What’s Next
The regular season is winding down with just two games left. Minnesota will remain home on Sunday for a matchup against the No. 18 Michigan State University.
After a week off, the Gophers will then close out the regular season on March 1st, traveling to play University of Illinois.
If Wednesday night was any sign, the Gophers aren’t just playing to hold their current ranking. The team is playing to climb.
