University of Minnesota Athletics
Minnesota Defeats South Florida 57-45
11/24/2025 5:21:00 PM | Women's Basketball
The Golden Gophers will face either Harvard or Alabama on Wednesday
NASSAU - The Minnesota women's basketball team (5-1, 0-0 Big Ten) defeated South Florida (3-3, 0-0 American Athletic Conference) 57-45 at the Baha Mar Convention Center on Monday evening.
With the win, the Golden Gophers will face either Harvard or Alabama in the championship game on Wednesday.
The Gophers had three players score in double figures, led by Grace Grocholski, who had 14 points and two steals. Mara Braun added 11 points and two blocks and Brylee Glenn chipped in as well with 10 points and four assists.
Sophie Hart pulled down three offensive rebounds to lead an offense that racked up second chance opportunities for Minnesota. As a team, the Gophers grabbed 12 boards and turned them into seven second chance points.
Minnesota's defense held South Florida to only 33.3 percent shooting from the field, including 11.1 percent from beyond the arc.
How It Happened
After jumping out to a 6-4 advantage, Minnesota went on a 12-0 run with 6:42 left in the first quarter to increase its lead to 18-4. The Gophers then lost some of that lead, but still entered the quarter break with a 20-9 advantage. Minnesota did most of its first quarter damage in the paint, scoring 10 of its 20 points close to the basket.
Minnesota kept its first quarter lead intact before going on an 8-0 run starting at the 5:55 mark in the second period, highlighted by a three from Grocholski, to increase its lead to 30-13. The Bulls cut into that lead, but the Maroon and Gold still enjoyed a 30-15 advantage heading into halftime. Minnesota was strong from deep in the period, knocking down two three-point shots to account for six of its 10 points.
Minnesota continued to preserve its halftime lead before going on a 5-0 run, punctuated by a basket from Amaya Battle, to expand its lead further to 40-21 with 2:01 to go in the third. Before the conclusion of the third period, the Bulls had cut into that lead somewhat, but the Gophers still entered the fourth quarter with a 40-26 edge. Minnesota knocked down two three-pointers in the quarter to score six of its 10 total points.
The Gophers then held on for the victory in the fourth quarter.
Game Notes
» The Gophers held the Bulls to only 33.3 percent shooting from the field.
» The Maroon and Gold never trailed after taking a 20-9 first quarter lead.
» Minnesota had a stellar day defensively, holding South Florida to 11 percent from beyond the arc on 18 attempts.
» Minnesota had a 35-33 edge on the boards in the win.
» The Gopher defense forced 20 turnovers.
» Minnesota cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 12 offensive boards in the game.
» Grocholski led the Golden Gophers with 14 points.
» Minnesota got a game-high 10 rebounds from Hart.
