Maybe one of the most deflating losses…ever.
It’s been rough goings for Northwestern since the end of November.
Since losing to Mizzou in Florida, a stormy black cloud has followed the Wildcats everywhere they’ve gone. Heartbreak after heartbreak has riddled NU’s season, including agonizing losses to Loyola Chicago, No. 23 Ohio State and, most recently, Oregon.
Those woes have forced their way into the new year, with the ‘Cats dropping their 10th straight matchup — the first time since 2008 the ‘Cats have allowed a losing streak to eclipse the double-digit mark.
Thursday night was dominated by Tori Mckinney, as she led all scorers with 20 points. Sophie Hart and Brylee Glenn joined her as the two other Gophers with 10+ on the night. Minnesota went 50% from the field, while winning the rebounding battle (47-27) and turnover battle (16-12).
Xamiya Walton’s 16 points was a Northwestern best, and just one shy of her season high. Grace Sullivan was stifled offensively, scoring just 11 on 5-of-13 shooting, while NU shot a dismal 29.1% from the field as a team.
Mara Braun cashed a three to give the Gophers the advantage of first score on the night. Grace Sullivan tried to chop down the early Minnesota lead, going 1-for-2 from the line, but Sophie Hart went to work in the post, getting two physical buckets down low. Caroline Lau triple was sandwiched between the early first quarter scores.
Casey Harter provided the ‘Cats their second consecutive three with 6:07 on the clock, drawing the score even at seven approaching the midway point of quarter number one. Finau Tonga and Tory Mckinney rattled in layups just before the first media timeout, leaving the ‘Cats down by four.
Following three Minnesota free throws, Sullivan got her first field goal of the night with her signature turnaround jumper.
Amaya Battle’s tough finish in the restricted area and Mckinney’s transition score wiped the senior’s efforts off the board, as the Golden Gophers doubled NU’s lead only seven minutes into the contest.
Tayla Thomas and Mckinney exchanged scores thereafter. The Minnesota sophomore closed out the period with a three from range, giving her squad a sizeable 12 point lead at the end of the first.
Daija Turner scored immediately upon checking in, and Sullivan would follow to reduced the lead to single digits.
The Gophers’ response was emphatic: a 7-0 run comprising of five points from Mckinney and a layup from Tonga forced Joe McKeown to take a timeout.
The short break in action did nothing to stop Minnesota’s dominance. Grace Grohcholski began to heat up, canning a mid-range jumper and a trey. Brylee Glenn and Mckinney scored from inside the paint, and a free throw pushed the run to 17-0.
Three more Gopher layups made the score 46-15 with two minutes to go in the half. The ‘Cats went on a 7:49 scoring drought in the second, with Harter mercifully bringing Northwestern’s woes to an end with a corner three.
Braun put an exclamation point on one of the most dominant first halves seen this year in college basketball with a right-handed floater to beat the buzzer before half. Minnesota led by 30 points at intermission. Tori Mckinney led the charge with 18 points on 70% shooting. Sophie Hart was the Gophers’ second leading scorer with six.
Casey Harter’s two threes put her at the top of Northwestern’s box score, while Grace Sullivan was held to only five points on 2-of-6 shooting. She and Caroline Lau led in the rebounding department with three and four, respectively.
To open the second half, Minnesota scored nine of the first 11 points. Braun, Grocholski and Mckinney all contributed scores, while Thomas was the only Wildcat to log a field goal through the first 3:45. Harter assisted on a Sullivan jumper before a 30 second Northwestern timeout. Xamiya Walton nailed a three to finally get NU to the quarter-century mark.
Minnesota ended the third quarter with two charity stripe shots and four layups to bring their lead to 38.
Northwestern outscored Minnesota 20-14 in the fourth quarter. Walton went a perfect 3-for-3 from deep en route to scoring 11 of her 17 total points. Sullivan and Amparo López chipped in four points each, and Tate Lash added a free throw.
López’s four points on Thursday were the first of her collegiate career.
Kennedy Klick led the Gophers in the fourth with four points — a field goal and two free throws. As a team, Minnesota went 5-of-11.
Northwestern returns home to Welsh-Ryan Area to take on Rutgers on Sunday, Jan. 11, at 2 p.m.
Category: General Sports
