Grocholski, Gophers snap skid with blowout win over Northwestern

Freshman Grace Grocholski started out red-hot for Minnesota

Freshman Grace Grocholski scored 27 points – including the first 13 points of the game for the Gophers – to lead Minnesota to a much-needed win over Northwestern on Saturday in Minneapolis. 

The Gophers had lost six consecutive games, the last four without star guard Mara Braun (foot injury), before erupting for a dominant win at home as they outscored the visiting Wildcats 45-31 in the second half en route to an 88-63 win. 

Minnesota is now 15-10 overall and 5-9 in the Big Ten. The Gophers still have four games left before the Big Ten Tournament March 6-10 at Target Center in Minneapolis. If it started today, the Gophers would be the No. 10 seed in the conference tournament. 

Northwestern falls to 8-17 overall and 3-11 in conference play. 

Grocholski hit three consecutive 3-pointers to give Minnesota a 9-2 lead in the first quarter and she scored the first 13 points of the game for the Gophers. The freshman from Wisconsin hit 6-of-7 shots from 3-point range after connecting on 7 of 12 from deep in the Gophers' loss to Rutgers earlier in the week. For the season she's shooting 35.7% from 3. 

All five Minnesota starters scored in double figures: 

• Grace Grocholski: 27 points, 5 rebounds
• Amaya Battle: 13 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals
• Mallory Heyer: 13 points, 8 rebounds
• Janay Sanders: 13 points, 6 assists
• Sophie Hart: 10 points

Minnesota shot 56.1% for the game and 47.4% on 3s (9 of 19). 

Up next: Gophers vs. Wisconsin, Tuesday at 6 p.m.

Gophers freshman Grace Grocholski dribbles the ball against Northwestern at Williams Arena on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024 / Photo by Matt Krohn, University of Minnesota