Gophers Find Their Form, Extend Winning Streak to Six With Composed Road Victory at Rutgers

Piscataway, N.J.

On a winter Sunday afternoon inside Jersey Mike’s Arena, the Minnesota Golden Gophers women's basketball did not overwhelm Rutgers with shooting brilliance or tempo. Instead, they imposed something quieter and more sustainable: discipline, rebounding, and defensive resolve.

The result was a 63–52 road victory over the Rutgers Scarlet Knights women's basketball, Minnesota’s sixth consecutive win and another step forward for a program increasingly comfortable winning games in multiple ways.

The victory lifted the Gophers to 18–6 overall and 9–4 in Big Ten play, keeping them firmly in NCAA Tournament contention as the regular season enters its closing stretch. Rutgers fell to 9–15 overall and 1–12 in conference play, a record that belied a strong individual scoring effort undone by turnovers and second chance opportunities conceded.

A Balanced Effort Anchored Inside

Minnesota placed three players in double figures, led by Sophie Hart, who delivered a composed and physical performance in the paint. Hart finished with 17 points and 10 rebounds, matching her season high in scoring while securing another double double that underscored her growing centrality to the Gophers’ identity.

Tori McKinney added 16 points, including two timely three pointers that steadied Minnesota during early offensive lulls. Mara Braun chipped in 12 points, 10 of them coming during a decisive third quarter stretch that flipped the game’s trajectory. Grace Grocholski anchored the defensive end with three steals, consistently disrupting Rutgers’ perimeter rhythm.

Minnesota finished with a 39–35 edge on the boards and collected 15 offensive rebounds, a margin that repeatedly extended possessions and slowly wore down the Scarlet Knights.

How Control Was Earned

The opening quarter unfolded evenly. Rutgers built a brief 12–7 advantage before Minnesota closed on a 5–0 run, capped by a Hart basket in the final minute to tie the game at 12. The Gophers relied on perimeter shooting early, with two three pointers accounting for half of their first quarter output.

Rutgers edged ahead in the second quarter, carrying a narrow 25–22 lead into halftime as Minnesota struggled to convert open looks but remained within striking distance through defense and rebounding.

The game turned decisively after the break.

Minnesota erased the deficit and, after Rutgers briefly tied the game at 33–33, Braun ignited an extended run that shifted momentum. The Gophers outscored Rutgers 23–12 in the third quarter, shooting efficiently, attacking the rim, and earning frequent trips to the free throw line. By the end of the period, Minnesota held a 45–37 lead, supported by five fast break points and sustained pressure on both ends.

The fourth quarter was an exercise in control rather than urgency. Minnesota outscored Rutgers 18–15, scoring 12 of those points in the paint, limiting transition opportunities, and closing out the game without allowing a serious challenge.

Discipline as the Deciding Factor

The numbers told a familiar story for a team built on possession value. Minnesota forced 15 Rutgers turnovers while committing only five themselves, converting those takeaways into 15 points. Despite Rutgers shooting a higher percentage from the field, the Scarlet Knights were undone by lost possessions and Minnesota’s ability to generate extra chances on the offensive glass.

Rutgers was led by Nene Ndiaye, who poured in a career high 26 points, and Zachara Perkins, who added 18. Their scoring kept Rutgers competitive, but the margin for error narrowed with each turnover and second chance surrendered.

Coach’s View

After the game, head coach Dawn Plitzuweit emphasized composure and resilience in her postgame interview on the Learfield Gopher Sports Network.

Defensively, she noted, the team remained solid even when shots were not falling early. Minnesota rebounded aggressively and took care of the basketball, allowing effort and execution to compensate for uneven shooting.

Looking Ahead

Minnesota now returns home with momentum intact, preparing for a February 12 matchup against Nebraska. With six straight wins secured through varied paths, the Gophers are no longer defined by a single style. They are defined by control, patience, and a growing confidence that travels well.

For a team positioning itself for March, those traits may matter more than any single stat line.

MinneapoliMedia