The energy inside Williams Arena was electric, then heavy, then hopeful. If you were looking for the latest Minnesota Gophers women's basketball score, the scoreboard told a tough story on Wednesday night: Minnesota 58, No. 3 UCLA 76.
It wasn't just a loss. It was a reality check against one of the best teams in the country. After the high of toppling No. 21 USC just days prior, the Gophers ran into a defensive buzzsaw. UCLA doesn't just play basketball; they suffocate you.
Minnesota (12-5, 3-3 Big Ten) came out swinging with an early 5-0 run. It felt like another upset was brewing in the Barn. But then the Bruins woke up. They are ranked third for a reason. By the time the fourth quarter rolled around, the Gophers were fighting uphill in the snow.
Breaking Down the Minnesota Gophers Women's Basketball Score
People see a 18-point gap and assume it was a blowout from the jump. Honestly, it wasn't. Dawn Plitzuweit has this team playing with a specific kind of grit that keeps them in games longer than their talent level might suggest on paper.
The halftime score of 34-24 was manageable. 10 points? In the Big Ten, that's a couple of Mara Braun threes away from a tie. But UCLA’s Lauren Betts is a problem. She’s 6'7" and plays like she’s 7 feet tall. She finished with 17 points and 10 rebounds, basically camping out in the paint and daring the Gophers to come inside.
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Amaya Battle was the bright spot for Minnesota. She put up 16 points and grabbed seven boards. She looked like the only person on the floor who wasn't intimidated by the Bruins' size. Mara Braun added 15, but she had to work for every single inch of space.
The USC Upset: Why the Momentum Shifted
To understand why the Minnesota Gophers women's basketball score against UCLA felt so deflating, you have to look back at the Sunday game. Minnesota beat No. 21 Southern California 63-62. It was a massive deal. It ended a 36-game losing streak against ranked opponents.
Grace Grocholski went absolutely nuclear in that game. She dropped 25 points, including a 14-0 run that she basically sparked by herself. When the final buzzer sounded against USC, fans stormed the court.
Going from that emotional peak to facing a Top-3 team like UCLA is a brutal turnaround. The Gophers looked a little tired. Their shots weren't falling—they shot just 40.3% from the field and a miserable 23.5% from beyond the arc. You can't beat a championship contender shooting like that.
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What’s Next for Dawn Plitzuweit’s Squad?
The schedule doesn't get any easier. That’s the "reward" for being in the new-look Big Ten.
- Washington (Away): Sunday, Jan 18 at 5:00 PM.
- Oregon (Away): Wednesday, Jan 21 at 8:00 PM.
- Wisconsin (Home): Sunday, Jan 25 at 2:00 PM.
The Gophers are currently sitting at 3-3 in conference play. They’re eighth in the standings, which is actually pretty respectable given the strength of the schedule they've faced. They've already played Maryland, Michigan, USC, and UCLA.
Key Players to Watch
If you're tracking the Minnesota Gophers women's basketball score over the next few weeks, keep your eyes on the "Big Three."
Grace Grocholski is the X-factor. When she's hitting, Minnesota can beat anyone. She's averaging 13.6 points per game. Then you have Mara Braun, the hometown hero from Wayzata. She's the primary scoring threat, even if she's currently navigating some shooting slumps. Finally, Amaya Battle is the engine. She leads the team in rebounds (7.4) and assists (3.9), which is wild for a guard.
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The defense is actually the Gophers' secret weapon. They are allowing only 53.2 points per game on average, which ranks 7th in the entire country. That defensive identity is what will keep them in the hunt for an NCAA tournament bid.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you want to follow the team's progress toward March Madness, here is what you need to do.
- Check the Net Rankings: The score is one thing, but the NET ranking determines tournament life. Minnesota is currently hovering in a spot where every conference win is gold.
- Watch the Paint Points: In the UCLA loss, Minnesota only had 10 points in the paint during the fourth quarter. They need Sophie Hart (6'5") to stay aggressive and out of foul trouble to compete with the elite size of the Big Ten.
- Tune in to KFAN+: If you can’t get to the Barn, the radio broadcasts on 96.7 KFAN+ are the best way to get the vibe of the game.
The road ahead is long, but this isn't the Gophers team of three years ago. They have a pulse. They have a star in the making with Grocholski. And most importantly, they finally proved they can beat the blue bloods—even if UCLA was a bridge too far this week.
Keep an eye on that Sunday score against Washington; it'll tell us everything we need to know about this team's resilience.