University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
22-8,13-5Big Ten
Ohio State
26-6,13-5Big Ten
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No. 4 Seed Minnesota Falls to No. 5 Seed Ohio State in Big Ten Tournament, 60-55
3/6/2026 4:19:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Hart recorded 12 points and a career high 19 rebounds
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - Sophie Hart reached 1,000 career points and collected a double-double with 12 points and 19 rebounds, but the No. 4 seeded Minnesota women's basketball team (22-8, 13-5 Big Ten) fell to the No. 5 seeded Ohio State Buckeyes (26-6, 23-5 Big Ten) 60-55 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse Friday.
The Golden Gophers had three players score in double figures, led by Grace Grocholski, who had 18 points, seven rebounds, four assists and three steals. Hart added a double-double with 12 points and 19 rebounds and Amaya Battle chipped in as well with 10 points and two steals.
Minnesota shared the ball well in Friday's game, racking up 15 assists on 23 made field goals. Individually, Mara Braun dished out the most for the Gophers with six assists.
How It Happened
After playing to a 4-4 tie early in the game, Minnesota went on a 7-0 run with 6:54 left in the first quarter to take an 11-4 lead. The Gophers then lost some of that lead, but still entered the quarter break with an 18-16 advantage. Minnesota did most of its first quarter damage in the paint, scoring 16 of its 18 points close to the basket.
The Gophers could not maintain their lead in the second quarter and entered halftime trailing 32-28.
Ohio State continued to increase its lead after halftime, building a 44-36 advantage before Minnesota went on a 6-0 run, punctuated by a three from Braun, to trim its deficit to 44-42 with 1:16 to go in the third. Ohio State countered and stretched its lead to 47-42 heading into the fourth. Minnesota knocked down two three-pointers in the quarter to score six of its 14 total points.
Ohio State kept widening its lead in the fourth, constructing a 50-42 advantage before Minnesota went on a 5-0 run to shrink the deficit to 50-47 with 5:43 to go in the contest. Ohio State responded and outscored the Gophers the rest of the way, ending the game with a final score of 60-55. Minnesota fired away from deep in the quarter, knocking down two shots to account for six of its 13 points.
Game Notes
» Sophie Hart recorded a double-double with 12 points and 19 rebounds for Minnesota. Her 19 boards tied the program's Big Ten Tournament record, and she surpassed 1,000 career points to become the 31st player in program history to reach the milestone.
» The Gophers shared the ball well, recording an assist on 65 percent of made baskets.
» Minnesota lost despite a 44-27 rebounding advantage.
» Minnesota cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 13 offensive boards in the game.
» Grace Grocholski led the Gophers with a game-high 18 points.
» Minnesota got a game-high 19 rebounds from Sophie Hart.