Big Ten Women's Basketball Tournament: Minnesota, Purdue advance

Tracking the action from Day 1 of the 2024 Big Ten tourney.

The Big Ten Women's Basketball Tournament got underway Wednesday at Target Center with two games between the bottom four teams in the regular season standings, and it was the higher-ranked Gophers and Purdue who made it through to Thursday's action.

Dawn Plitzuweit's Gophers came into Wednesday's game against Rutgers on the back of an abysmal run of form that had seen them lose four straight, including 108-60 and 90-34 shellackings by Iowa and Penn State respectively.

But led by a 32-point showing from Amaya Battle, the Gophers overcame bottom-ranked Rutgers 77-69 in front of the home crowd. A tussle with No. 6 Michigan awaits for the Gophers on Thursday.

Here are the key points from Wednesday's two games:

(13) Northwestern 72 vs. (12) Purdue 78

• Northwestern led 39-35 at the half and then blossomed the lead to 10 points, 47-37, within the first five minutes of the third quarter. Caileigh Walsh was leading the way with 18 points and seven rebounds. 
• Boilermakers go on a 21-6 run to take a 58-55 lead within the first minute of the fourth quarter. 
• Purdue opened the lead to 10 at 71-61 with 90 seconds to play. 
• Abbey Ellis leads Purdue with 25 points. 
• Purdue will play again Thursday against #5 Nebraska. 

Credit: @nuwbball on X

(14) Rutgers 69 vs. (11) Minnesota 77

• Minnesota leads 39-35 at the half behind 17 points from Amaya Battle. 
• Battle finished with 32 points, five rebounds and seven assists to lead the Gophers. She scored or assisted on 45 of Minnesota's 77 points.
• Destiny Adams was unstoppable for Rutgers, finishing with 31 points and 23 rebounds in the losing effort. 
• The Gophers will play Thursday against #6 Michigan. 

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