University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
6-2,0-0Big Ten
Samford
4-6,0-0SoCon
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Hart’s Double-Double Powers Minnesota Past Samford 77-40
12/1/2025 9:19:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Sophie Hart had 17 points and 10 rebounds
MINNEAPOLIS - The University of Minnesota women's basketball team (6-2, 0-0 Big Ten) got a 29-point performance from the bench on the way to a 77-40 victory against the Samford Bulldogs (4-6, 0-0 SoCon) at home on Monday evening.
The Gophers had three players score in double figures, led by Sophie Hart, who put together a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Tori McKinney added 13 points, four assists, four steals and two blocks and Niamya Holloway chipped in as well with 10 points off the bench.
Minnesota out-rebounded Samford 53-27 in Monday's game, paced by Hart's 10 boards. The Gophers also collected 19 offensive rebounds and scored 27 second chance points.
Minnesota did a great job disrupting Samford shots in the contest, coming away with five blocks. McKinney's two rejections led the way individually for the Gophers.
How It Happened
Minnesota started out the scoring by going on a 16-0 run, culminating in a bucket from McKinney, to take an early lead with 2:34 left in the first quarter. The Gophers entered the quarter break with an 18-3 advantage. Minnesota did most of its first quarter damage in the paint, scoring 12 of its 18 points close to the basket.
Minnesota kept its first quarter lead intact before going on a 12-0 run starting at the 6:14 mark in the second period, highlighted by a bucket from Holloway, to increase its lead to 35-9, a score that would hold until halftime. Minnesota dominated in the paint, scoring 14 of its 17 points close to the basket.
Minnesota wasted no time building on its lead, going on a 10-0 run, punctuated by a three from Mara Braun, to expand its lead further to 45-9 with 8:17 to go in the third. Before the conclusion of the third period, the Bulldogs had cut into that lead somewhat, but the Gophers still entered the fourth quarter with a 59-25 edge. Minnesota played well near the basket, scoring 14 of its 24 points in the paint.
Minnesota kept its lead intact before going on an 8-0 run, finished off by Holloway's layup, to grow the lead to 73-31 with 3:20 to go in the contest. The Bulldogs narrowed the margin somewhat before the game was over, but the Gophers still cruised the rest of the way for the 77-40 win. Minnesota took advantage of its opportunities in the post, scoring 16 of its 18 points in the paint.
Game Notes
» Sophie Hart notched a double-double for the Gophers with 17 points and 10 rebounds.
» The Gophers held the Bulldogs to only 24 percent shooting from the field.
» The Gophers never trailed after taking an 18-3 first quarter lead.
» Minnesota recorded 20 total assists in the game.
» The Minnesota bench made an impact by scoring 29 points to its scoring output.
» Minnesota had a 53-27 edge on the boards in the win.
» The Minnesota defense forced 16 turnovers.
» The Gophers were active in affecting shots on the defensive end, tallying five blocks as a team.
» Minnesota turned the ball over 10 times while dishing out 20 assists.
» Minnesota cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 19 offensive boards in the game.
» Sophie Hart led the Gophers with 17 points.
» Minnesota got a game-high 10 rebounds from Sophie Hart.