The Gophers women’s basketball team’s losing streak against ranked opponents is history.
Grace Grocholski scored 17 of her 25 points in the second half, and the Gophers defeated No. 21 Southern California 63-62 on Sunday, Jan. 11, at Williams Arena, their first victory over an opponent in the Associated Press Top 25 poll in more than six years.
The Gophers (12-4, 3-2 Big Ten) hadn’t beaten a ranked team since Nov. 17, 2019, when they defeated No. 19 Arizona State 80-66 at Williams Arena. Since then, the Gophers had lost 36 consecutive games to ranked opponents, including two this season to top-10 teams Maryland and Michigan.
“A special game and opportunity,” Gophers coach Dawn Plitzuweit told KFAN radio. “Our ladies showed their toughness and resilience. USC deserves a lot of credit. They played really well.”
The Gophers scored the first 10 points of the game but trailed by as many as 13 points in the third quarter before Grocholski sparked a 14-0 run to give the Gophers a 46-45 lead before the end of the period. Grocholski scored 10 consecutive points in the run, including back-to-back three-pointers.
“It feels awesome,” Grocholski told KFAN radio after the game, “I think that’s the most team effort we’ve put out there. We did a good job. They’re a good defensive team. We were able to slow down and had movement.”
After the Trojans (10-6, 2-3) took a 48-46 lead into the fourth quarter, Grocholski scored seven points in the first four minutes of the quarter to give the Gophers a 56-50 lead. USC got to within 56-54, but the Gophers made four free throws to go up 62-57 with 30 seconds to play.
USC’s Kara Dunn scored to make it 62-59 with 10 seconds remaining. Tori McKinney made one of two free throws with seven seconds left to put the Gophers up four, and Dunn hit a meaningless three-pointer at the buzzer for the final margin.
