Grocholski, Gophers snap skid with blowout win over Northwestern

Freshman Grace Grocholski started out red-hot for Minnesota
Grocholski, Gophers snap skid with blowout win over Northwestern
Grocholski, Gophers snap skid with blowout win over Northwestern /

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.

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

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Joe Nelson
JOE NELSON

Joe Nelson has more than 20 years of experience in Minnesota sports journalism. Nelson began his career in sports radio, working at smaller stations in Marshall and St. Cloud before moving to the highly-rated KFAN-FM 100.3 in the Twin Cities. While there, he produced the popular mid-morning show hosted by Minnesota Vikings play-by-play announcer Paul Allen. His time in radio laid the groundwork for his transition to sports writing in 2011. He covers the Vikings, Timberwolves, Gophers and Twins for On SI.