The Minnesota Gophers women’s basketball team returns home to Williams Arena to host the Northwestern Wildcats at 7 PM Thursday night. Minnesota currently is 10-4 and 1-2 in Big Ten play after a 70-60 loss at #9 Michigan on Monday night. Northwestern comes into Thursday’s tilt at 6-9 overall and 0-4 in Big Ten play/
Minnesota will look to bounce back after a hard fought loss to the Wolverines. The Gophers had the lead after the first and third quarters but could not hold on as the Wolverines got all
of the home calls down the stretch and a team that was shooting just 64% on the season from the free throw line went 11-2 in the 4th quarter to pull away with the win. Minnesota native Olivia Olsen led the way with 21 points for Michigan. Grace Grocholski was the hot hand for the Gophers leading all scorers with 22 points and eight rebounds, but she dd not get much help. Mara Braun added 14 points but on just 4-11 shooting and Tori McKinney had her worst game of the season recording the same number of points and turnovers (4). Add in a 2-11 shooting night from Amaya Battle and there you go.
Northwestern has played several close games at home, and been blown out on the road and is yet to find a conference win in head coach Joe McKeonn’s 18th and final season behind the bench for the Wildcats. Northwestern narrowly lost to Ohio State and Iowa in Evanston but were blown out by Nebraska and Oregon on the road. Minnesota will look for more of the same to continue Thursday night. Northwestern is a one trick pony. Senior Grace Sullivan is a 6’4″ post and she leads the Big Ten in scoring at 23.4 PPG. It will be up to Sophie Hart and Finau Tonga to try and slow her down and force the remaining Wildcats to hit shots. The Wildcats defense is atrocious giving up 80 PPG in conference play. As long as the Gophers can get their shots on their home court, they should be able to win this one comfortably.
Minnesota will look to retake the series lead between the two programs that is currently deadlocked at 40 wins a piece. Minnesota has won the last two over Northwestern. A win is needed as the schedule gets significantly tougher in the next two weeks with a good USC team coming to the Barn on Sunday afternoon followed by #4 UCLA on Wednesday night. Minnesota then heads to the Pacific Northwest for a pair of tough games against Oregon and Washington.
Thursday’s tip is set for a 7PM start and will stream on B1G+.
