Turnover-prone Gophers women's basketball loses 76-70 to Wisconsin in overtime

Saturday at Williams Arena, freshman forward Mallory Heyer had the best game of her young career and point guard Amaya Battle set the Gophers women's basketball freshman record for assists in a season (109 and counting).

But to Heyer, it meant little. For Battle, mainly frustration.

For the Gophers: Another loss, in overtime, 76-70 to Wisconsin.

Heyer scored 28 points and had 15 rebounds. She made five of seven three-pointers, including a three in overtime that tied the game at 68. But she was the only Gophers player to hit a field goal after the third quarter.

Battle? Ten points and 10 assists. But she also had seven of the Gophers' 24 turnovers.

It has been the story of the season for the young Gophers (9-16, 2-12 Big Ten), who lost their sixth straight game.

There were other issues:

But, again, it was the turnovers.

"I mean, 24 turnovers,'' coach Lindsay Whalen said. "Obviously taking care of it is something we talked about all year. When we've done it, we've given ourselves a chance to win. No matter what we have to take better care of the ball.''

The game was tight throughout. Eight was the biggest lead, by Wisconsin, late in the OT. There were 11 lead changes, 14 ties.

When Battle fed Heyer for a three-pointer with 1:48 left in regulation, the Gophers led by five, only to be outscored 19-8 the rest of the game. At the other end, Brooke Schrank (20 points) hit a three with 1:35 left. Battle hit one of two free throws with 44 seconds to put the Gophers up three only to have Maty Wilke answer with a three to tie it. Heyer's two free throws with 38 seconds left put the Gophers up two, but Julie Pospililova (22 points) tied it with 30 seconds left. Battle came up short on a last-second drive, forcing overtime.

Playing without center Rose Micheaux, who fouled out late in the fourth, the Gophers opened OT with a missed shot, two missed free throws and three turnovers. After Heyer scored to tie it, Wisconsin put the game away with an 8-0 run.

"For me I don't think it means anything, because we didn't win the game,'' she said. "That's always the main focus, winning. So, for me, I'm not really walking away with much. I mean, it gives me a little confidence. But, ultimately, I want to win.''

Mara Braun scored 15 points for the Gophers, but scored just two points in the second half.

Battle broke a record set by Joan Kowalsky in the 1977-78 season for assists by a freshman. But after the game she was disappointed by the turnovers; she's averaging five over her past four games.