UPDATE: In a hard-fought battle, the Minnesota Gophers women’s basketball team suffered a narrow 63-57 defeat against the Kansas Jayhawks in their first road game of the season on November 15, 2023. The loss marks Minnesota’s first setback, dropping their record to 4-1 this season.
The Gophers struggled initially, shooting a mere 17.6% from the field in the first quarter, allowing Kansas to establish a significant 10-point lead. However, Minnesota rallied back to take the lead at 25-23 during the second quarter, outscoring the Jayhawks 19-11 in that period.
Despite a strong comeback, the Gophers found themselves trailing again in the second half, though they managed to tie the game at 49-all before closing the gap to 59-57 with just 36 seconds remaining on the clock. Unfortunately, Kansas secured the win by converting free throws in the final seconds.
Tori McKinney led the Gophers with 14 points, while Mara Braun contributed 13 points and Grace Grocholski added 12 points. Minnesota’s shooting performance ended at 34.4% overall, with a disappointing 21.7% from beyond the arc.
Looking ahead, the Gophers will participate in the Baha Mar Hoops Pink Flamingo Championship tournament in Nassau, Bahamas. They are set to face South Florida on November 20, 2023, at 3 p.m., followed by a potential matchup with either Harvard or Alabama later in the week.
This latest defeat highlights the challenges the Gophers face as they navigate a competitive season. Fans will be eager to see how the team rebounds in their upcoming tournament.
