Ole Miss was not giving them much space. The Rebels’ pesky defense had the Gophers limited early on, and with a trip to the Sweet 16 on the line, every inch of the court was fought for. 

Early foul trouble and relentless pressure from both defenses defined the game, with both teams taking some time to find consistent offense. Minnesota found its spark in hot three-point shooting and a strong interior presence. For the Rebels, their steady execution in the third quarter tipped the game in their favor. The Gophers were forced to attempt the comeback,  trailing 54-46 heading into the final quarter. 

The comeback was delivered dramatically, too. In the closing stretch, Minnesota erased the deficit to secure the 65-63 win, sealing its spot in the Sweet 16. 

“That whole game, we always believed in each other,” senior guard Amaya Battle said. “We believed we were going to win and we stuck together. I think that’s really a big part of how that ended.”

Standout Performance 

It was leading rebounder Battle, a Minnesota native, who sank the biggest shot of the game. A clutch jumper gave the Gophers a two-point lead with .8 seconds left. Battle controlled the temperature of the game beyond the game winner with 14 points and 11 rebounds for the double-double. Her composure under pressure has anchored Minnesota throughout the tournament.

Meanwhile, redshirt junior guard Mara Braun had a hot 3-point shot throughout the afternoon, sparking some of the biggest runs for the Gophers. Braun finished with 17 points and four made 3-pointers, including a late-game-tying stepback three to tie the game with less than two minutes left. 

“The word I use for them is legacy,” head coach Dawn Plitzuweit said of the two players. “They’re leaving a legacy in Minnesota women’s basketball right now.”

Game Changer

The turning point of the game came there, from the timely shots and the crowd energy it brought. Braun’s game-tying three made the arena erupt, and it kept roaring as a crucial defensive stop gave Minnesota one final possession with three seconds left. 

The energy inside Williams Arena shifted the momentum all afternoon, but this final late surge from Minnesota rattled Ole Miss in a key moment. 

“Really thankful for our fanbase for bringing that type of energy,” Plitzuweit said. “That certainly helped us because we were able to get stops in the fourth quarter when we needed them.”

Going Forward

Minnesota will need to clean up some of its fouling problems heading into the Sweet 16. Junior forward Grace Grocholski took four fouls, keeping her off the court in big moments. That limitation and the free-throw opportunities helped Ole Miss remain close. 

However, Minnesota’s resiliency has once again been a key factor. Despite facing an eight-point deficit heading into the final quarter, their late-game execution was sharp, and that is something that could be a major strength in the next round. The lessons of how to play in an extremely physical matchup will also be useful to carry forward. 

“You just want to win the game so you’re willing to do whatever it takes,” Braun said. “Just putting your body out there and having a will to win.” 

What is Next

The win has the Gophers advancing to the Sweet 16, which will be played in Sacramento later this week. The Gophers will face the winner of Sunday’s University of California, Los Angeles and Oklahoma State University matchup.