University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
1-0,0-0Big Ten
Harvard
0-1,0-0Ivy League
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harvard | 14 | 16 | 22 | 10 | 62 |
| Minnesota | 17 | 20 | 17 | 28 | 82 |
11/2/2026 8:06:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Gracie Merkle led the Golden Gophers with 22 points followed by Grace Grocholski who had 20. Tayla Thomas contributed with a double-double scoring 13 points and grabbing 10 rebounds.
MINNEAPOLIS - Gracie Merkle had 22 points and Grace Grocholski added 20 as the No. 17/18 University of Minnesota women's basketball team (1-0, 0-0 Big Ten) cruised past the Harvard Crimson (0-1, 0-0 Ivy League) 82-62 at The Barn by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota 82-62 at home Monday evening in front of 7,185 fans.
The Golden Gophers had three players score in double figures, led by Merkle, who had 22 points and seven rebounds. Grocholski added 20 points, six rebounds and five assists and Tayla Thomas helped out with a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds.
Grocholski pulled down four offensive rebounds to pace an offense that racked up second chance opportunities for Minnesota, grabbing 17 boards and turning them into 18 second chance points.
Minnesota's defense held Harvard to only 34.3 percent shooting from the field, including 29 percent from beyond the arc.
How It Happened
After falling behind 4-2, Minnesota went on a 6-0 run with 7:19 left in the first quarter, culminating in a bucket from Leah Harmon, to take an 8-4 lead. The Gophers then lost some of that lead, but still entered the quarter break with a 17-14 advantage. Minnesota did most of its first quarter damage in the paint, scoring 10 of its 17 points close to the basket.
Minnesota kept its first quarter lead intact before going on a 7-0 run starting at the 1:50 mark in the second period, highlighted by a bucket from Merkle, to increase its lead to 37-29. The Crimson cut into that lead, but the Gophers still enjoyed a 37-30 advantage heading into halftime.
The Maroon and Gold surrendered its halftime lead with the game tied at 37-37 before going on a 7-0 run, punctuated by a basket from Thomas, to grab a 44-37 lead with 4:57 to go in the third. Before the conclusion of the third period, the Crimson had cut into that lead somewhat, but Minnesota still entered the fourth quarter with a 54-52 edge.
The Gophers kept widening that lead, expanding it to 61-56 before going on a 14-0 run, finished off by Natalie Kussow's layup, to grow the lead to 75-56 with 2:11 to go in the contest. Minnesota kept expanding the margin and coasted the rest of the way for the 82-62 win. Minnesota took advantage of its opportunities in the post, scoring 14 of its 28 points in the paint.
Game Notes
» Tayla Thomas notched a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds.
» The Gophers held the Crimson to only 34.3 percent shooting from the field.
» The Minnesota bench came alive by scoring 28 points to its scoring output.
» Minnesota had a 44-38 edge on the boards in the win.
» The Minnesota defense forced 18 turnovers.
» Minnesota cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 17 offensive boards in the game.
» Gracie Merkle had a game-high 22 points and Grace Grocholski added 20.
» Tayla Thomas nabbed a game-high 10 rebounds to lead Minnesota and Gracie Merkle added 7.
