Gophers blow double-digit lead, drop second straight in Big Ten

Backbreaking 12-0 run in fourth quarter by Illini is difference in Minnesota loss.

An 11-point lead late in the third quarter evaporated 

Minnesota was up by 11 at the half and still led by 11 at 52-41 after an Amaya Battle jumper with 2:42 to go in the third quarter. That's when the Illini took over, ending the quarter on a 9-2 run and then outscoring the Gophers 23-14 in the fourth quarter. 

Grace Grocholski's 3-pointer put the Gophers up 62-57 with 6;27 left in the game and that's when Illinois went on a 12-0 run over the next four minutes, 16 seconds for a commanding lead at 69-62 with 2:11 remaining. 

It's Minnesota's second straight road loss in the Big Ten, having lost at Wisconsin on Tuesday night. The Badgers had just one conference win before beating Minnesota and Illinois had only two conference wins before upending the Gophers. 

The Gophers are now 14-6 overall and 4-5 in the Big Ten, falling all the way to eighth in the Big Ten standings. 

Battle led the Gophers with 18 points, eight rebounds and seven assists. Mara Braun scored 18, Mallory Heyer had 11 and Sophie Hart finished with 10 points. 

Up next: Minnesota vs. Penn State, Wednesday at 7 p.m. 

Credit: University of Minnesota Athletics