MINNEAPOLIS — amaya battle helped Minnesota turn a tense NCAA Tournament opener into a 75-58 win over Green Bay on Friday, March 20 (ET), at Williams Arena. The Gophers trailed for most of the night, including entering the fourth quarter down four, before unleashing a decisive run that erased the deficit in minutes. The comeback pushed Minnesota into the second round, where the Gophers are set to play Mississippi at 1 p. m. Sunday (ET).
Fourth-quarter avalanche flips the game in minutes
Green Bay controlled large stretches early, leading Minnesota after the first, second, and third quarters before the Gophers’ fourth-quarter eruption changed everything. Minnesota opened the final period with a 14-0 run and ultimately won the quarter 30-9, turning a close, pressure-packed contest into a 75-58 victory.
The decisive stretch included a 16-0 run that left the Phoenix trying to regroup as Minnesota’s shots began falling and the defense began producing stops. Gophers coach Dawn Plitzuweit pointed to the importance of having the full 40 minutes to work through the game’s swings.
For Green Bay, the loss ended a bid to earn the program’s first NCAA Tournament win since 2012. The Phoenix entered as a 13 seed and had held the lead deep into the second half, including after a three-pointer by Jenna Guyer that pushed the margin to 43-34.
Amaya Battle steadies Minnesota, then sparks the shift
Before the breakthrough, Minnesota’s offense struggled to find rhythm. The Gophers shot 27. 8% in the first half, but stayed within striking distance, trailing only 29-26 at the break, with graduate center Sophie Hart’s interior work and amaya battle’s scoring keeping the deficit manageable.
In the third quarter, Battle delivered a critical burst that kept the game from slipping away, scoring nine points on three three-pointers. “Any time a shot goes in you feel good so it gives you a little bit of a boost, ” Battle said. “Made the hoop look a little bit bigger. ”
Plitzuweit also described a key bench moment between quarters when Battle tried to lighten the mood by referencing a practice drill. Plitzuweit recalled pushing back during a playful exchange that ended with both laughing, helping the group relax in a high-pressure setting. Center Sophie Hart said the team’s best basketball comes when it’s “laughing and having fun, ” a tone Minnesota leaned into as the fourth quarter opened.
Battle finished with 21 points. Hart ended with 19 points, plus three offensive rebounds and three defensive rebounds, while Mara Braun added 16 points and hit three of five attempts from three-point range after a slow start.
Green Bay’s fight: leads through three quarters, then the door slams
Green Bay head coach Kayla Karius said her group showed belief despite the roster’s newcomers, emphasizing the team’s identity and confidence stepping onto any floor. Guyer, the Horizon League player of the year, finished with five points and said the Phoenix proved their “tenacity” and weren’t intimidated by the opponent.
Maddy Skorupski led Green Bay with 19 points and described the NCAA Tournament moment as a long-held dream, adding that transferring in was about having this kind of experience.
What’s next: Minnesota moves on, urgency remains
Minnesota advances to host Mississippi in the second round at 1 p. m. Sunday (ET) at Williams Arena. Plitzuweit acknowledged the challenge of settling into tournament basketball, noting how difficult it can be to relax when the moment is so significant. For the Gophers, amaya battle’s steadying presence and the team’s fourth-quarter punch now set the tone for a quick turnaround, with the next test arriving in less than 48 hours.
