No. 23 Gophers women’s basketball pulls away from Wisconsin for 71-50 victory

In the opening moments of the third quarter of a tied game, after Tori McKinney had missed a three-pointer, Gophers center Sophie Hart waded into the lane, got the offensive board, was fouled and went to the line.

Swish, swish.

Less than a minute later, after Amaya Battle’s miss, Hart grabbed the rebound, was fouled and went to the line.

Swish, swish.

Not long after that, out of the high post, Hart saw Mallory Heyer cutting to the basket. The Gophers call it a “blast,” as in a blast to the hoop. Hart passed, Heyer caught and scored. Moments later, it was Annika Stewart who hit a cutting Heyer.

Sunday at Williams Arena, in front of a season-best home crowd of 7,554, the Gophers women’s basketball team beat Wisconsin 71-50, completing the season sweep of the Badgers. The Gophers did it with a one-sided second half after a first half filled with misses, rebounds, grit and opportunism that somehow found them tied at halftime despite shooting under 28%.

And while four Gophers starters scored in double figures, it was Hart and Heyer who came out of the halftime locker room and changed the tenor of the game; the Gophers outscored the Badgers 43-22 in the second half.

“These two young ladies here played absolutely outstanding basketball games,” Gophers coach Dawn Plitzuweit said of the duo, which combined to score 31 points with 16 rebounds and seven assists. “I think Sophie Hart, in my opinion, played her best game as a Gopher.”

Both players were crucial. The Gophers (18-3, 6-3 Big Ten) had used significant edges in points off turnovers and second-chance points while forging a 28-28 halftime tie with Wisconsin (10-10, 1-8).

But they were struggling to hit shots, particularly from behind the arc, where they were 3-for-17. At halftime, the Gophers decided to reverse course and attack more inside while doubling down on defense.

“The shots weren’t falling, but I think we knew they were going to fall at some point,” Hart said. “We had to really emphasize getting to the rim.”

At both ends, Hart and Heyer led the way. The two had 13 points in a third quarter where the Gophers outscored the Badgers 20-10. Hart finished the game with 16 points and five rebounds — all on the offensive end — while tying a career high with four assists. Heyer scored 15 points with 11 rebounds, her second double-double of the season and the 15th of her career. Those two combined for 10 first-half points, 21 in the second half.

Grace Grocholski scored 17 points, including 14 in the first half while the rest of the Gophers offense struggled. McKinney had 14. The Gophers got 68 of 71 points from their starting lineup.

Together Hart and Heyer outplayed Wisconsin’s Serah Williams and Carter McCray, who combined for 24 points, but just eight after halftime. Williams was forced into eight turnovers.

BOXSCORE: No. 23 Gophers women 71, Wisconsin 50

Big Ten women’s basketball standings

Hart and Heyer helped lead the Gophers to a 15-2 run to open the third quarter. Wisconsin called timeout after falling behind by eight, but the Gophers added on: Hart fed Grocholski for a three, then Battle scored from the baseline for a 43-30 lead.

“Mallory is kind of sneaky on that baseline cut,” Hart said. “It’s like, nobody ever sees her. If they’re going to double me, I’m gong to look for her first. We know where the other is going to be.”

Said Heyer: “Sophie and [backup Annika Stewart] both see the floor really well. When they got doubled, I was able to just cut to the basket. They found me.”

And the Gophers found their footing. They now sit in a four-way tie for fifth place in the Big Ten after handing the Badgers their eighth consecutive loss. Next up, though, is a daunting road trip: They travel to Los Angeles to face No. 4 USC on Thursday and No. 1 UCLA on Sunday.