Battle’s Career-High 35 Points Lifts Minnesota Past Gonzaga in Overtime Thriller
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – Amaya Battle delivered a career-best performance, scoring 35 points to lead the University of Minnesota women’s basketball team (23-11, 8-10 B1G) to a hard-fought 82-77 overtime victory against Gonzaga (24-11, 17-3 WCC) on Thursday night at Williams Arena. The win secures Minnesota a spot in the WBIT semifinals.
The Gophers will now take on Florida in the next round on Monday at 4 p.m. CT at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, with the game airing live on ESPNU.
Minnesota had three players score in double figures. Battle, who also tallied 10 assists, led the charge, while Grace Grocholski contributed 20 points, six rebounds, four assists, and two steals. Tori McKinney added 19 points and two steals in the victory. Strong ball movement played a key role, as the Gophers racked up 17 assists on 29 made field goals.
Minnesota started strong, jumping out to a 19-16 lead before closing the first quarter on a 6-0 run, capped by a bucket from Mallory Heyer, to end the period ahead 25-16.
However, Gonzaga fought back in the second quarter, outscoring the Gophers to take a slim 35-34 lead into halftime.
The Bulldogs extended their advantage to 48-40 in the third quarter, but Minnesota responded with a quick 6-0 run, highlighted by a three-pointer from Grocholski, to cut the deficit to 48-46. Despite the push, Gonzaga regained control and entered the fourth quarter leading 56-50.
The Gophers refused to back down, preventing Gonzaga from extending its lead before going on a critical 9-0 run, punctuated by another Grocholski three, to grab a 70-67 lead with just 1:14 remaining in regulation. Gonzaga managed to tie the game at 70-70, forcing overtime.
In the extra period, Gonzaga briefly took a 72-70 lead, but Minnesota answered with a clutch 5-0 run, capped by a Grocholski jumper, to go ahead 75-72. The Gophers maintained their momentum, extending the lead and securing the 82-77 victory.
With this thrilling win, Minnesota moves one step closer to a WBIT championship, setting up an exciting semifinal showdown against Florida.
