University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
12-4,3-2Big Ten
Southern California
10-6,2-3Big Ten
Minnesota Tops No. 21 USC 63-62
1/11/2026 4:53:00 PM | Women's Basketball
It marks the Golden Gophers first ranked win since 2019
MINNEAPOLIS - The University of Minnesota women's basketball team (12-4, 3-2 Big Ten) rallied back from a 13-point deficit to defeat the No. 21 ranked USC Trojans (10-6, 2-3 Big Ten) 63-62 at home Sunday.
The Golden Gophers had two players score in double figures, led by Grace Grocholski, who had 25 points, eight rebounds and three steals. Sophie Hart tacked on 15 points, six rebounds and two steals and Mara Braun added six points, 10 rebounds and two blocks.
The Minnesota defense was effective at taking away the basketball in Sunday's game, forcing 17 USC turnovers while committing nine. Those takeaways turned into 16 points on the offensive end of the floor. Grocholski's three steals led the way individually for the Gophers.
How It Happened
Minnesota started out the scoring by going on a 10-0 run, culminating in a bucket from Amaya Battle, to take an early lead with 6:21 left in the first quarter. The Gophers then lost some of that lead, but still entered the quarter break with an 18-10 advantage. Minnesota did most of its first quarter damage in the paint, scoring 10 of its 18 points close to the basket.
USC rallied to take a 34-25 lead before Minnesota went on a 5-0 run starting at the 1:23 mark in the second period, highlighted by a bucket from Hart, to narrow its deficit to 34-30, a score that would hold until halftime.
USC continued to increase its lead after halftime, building a 45-32 advantage before Minnesota went on a 14-0 run, punctuated by a basket from Grocholski, to grab a 46-45 lead with 1:06 to go in the third. USC responded to seize a 48-46 lead entering the fourth quarter. Minnesota played well near the basket, scoring 10 of its 16 points in the paint.
Minnesota then came back to even it up at 50-50 before going on a 6-0 run, finished off by Grocholski's three, to seize a 56-50 lead with 5:57 to go in the contest. The Trojans narrowed the margin somewhat before the game was over, but the Gophers still held on for the 63-62 win. Minnesota took advantage of seven USC turnovers in the quarter, scoring eight points off of those takeaways.
Game Notes
» The Gophers rallied from a two-point 48-46 third quarter deficit to pick up the win.
» Minnesota had a 40-32 edge on the boards in the win.
» The Minnesota defense forced 17 turnovers.
» Minnesota cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 18 offensive boards in the game.
» Grocholski led the Gophers with 25 points.
» Minnesota got a game-high 10 rebounds from Mara Braun.
