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The Minnesota Golden Gophers women's basketball team has endured quite the March Madness drought. Despite several seasons with potential championship aspirations, even ranking as high as No. 12 during the 2018-19 season, the Gophers have not advanced to the Sweet 16 since 2005.
You know what they say about streaks though; they are meant to be broken, and Minnesota accomplished just that Sunday, taking down Ole Miss in the Round of 32 thanks to a buzzer-beater from Amaya Battle.
It was a close game all the way through. In fact, Minnesota was trailing by eight entering the final quarter. Then, their defense clamped down, holding Ole Miss to just nine points in the final 10 minutes, and winning on that baseline jumper from Battle.
Though Battle did not lead her team in points, she was a major contributor to Minnesota's win outside of that final shot, leading all players with 11 rebounds in the game. She added 14 points and five assists (led Minnesota).
The only Gophers player to outscore Battle was Maya Braun, who caught fire from 3-point territory, hitting 4-of-5 from behind the arc. She finished with 17. Ole Miss' Sira Thienou led all scorers with 18.
Battle's double-double was her fifth of the 2025-26 season and first since Minnesota's win over Ohio State on Feb. 18.
Since Minnesota's last Sweet 16 appearance, the Golden Gophers proceeded to make the tournament in three of the next four years, never advancing past the second round.
Minnesota failed to make the tournament each of the next five years then fell to DePaul in the first round in 2015. The team also made the tournament in 2018, advancing to the second round. This season marks Minnesota's first trip to the NCAA Tournament since then.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Minnesota advances to women's Sweet 16 on buzzer-beater by Amaya Battle
Continue reading...
You know what they say about streaks though; they are meant to be broken, and Minnesota accomplished just that Sunday, taking down Ole Miss in the Round of 32 thanks to a buzzer-beater from Amaya Battle.
AMAYA BATTLE WITH THE GAME-WINNER FOR THE GOPHERS
Minnesota advances to its first Sweet 16 since 2005! pic.twitter.com/t1R9t9OvZo
— ESPN (@espn) March 22, 2026
It was a close game all the way through. In fact, Minnesota was trailing by eight entering the final quarter. Then, their defense clamped down, holding Ole Miss to just nine points in the final 10 minutes, and winning on that baseline jumper from Battle.
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Amaya Battle stats
Though Battle did not lead her team in points, she was a major contributor to Minnesota's win outside of that final shot, leading all players with 11 rebounds in the game. She added 14 points and five assists (led Minnesota).
The only Gophers player to outscore Battle was Maya Braun, who caught fire from 3-point territory, hitting 4-of-5 from behind the arc. She finished with 17. Ole Miss' Sira Thienou led all scorers with 18.
Battle's double-double was her fifth of the 2025-26 season and first since Minnesota's win over Ohio State on Feb. 18.
Minnesota in Women's NCAA Tournament since 2005
Since Minnesota's last Sweet 16 appearance, the Golden Gophers proceeded to make the tournament in three of the next four years, never advancing past the second round.
Minnesota failed to make the tournament each of the next five years then fell to DePaul in the first round in 2015. The team also made the tournament in 2018, advancing to the second round. This season marks Minnesota's first trip to the NCAA Tournament since then.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Minnesota advances to women's Sweet 16 on buzzer-beater by Amaya Battle
Continue reading...
