The Minnesota Golden Gophers didn’t just bounce back-they made a statement. After a tough stretch that included road games against Kansas and a trip to the Bahamas to face two likely NCAA Tournament teams, the Gophers returned to Williams Arena and steamrolled Samford in a 77-40 win that was never in doubt.
From the opening tip, Minnesota came out with purpose. The Gophers ripped off a 16-0 run to start the game and didn’t allow Samford to find any rhythm offensively.
The Bulldogs managed just one made shot on 13 attempts in the first quarter, and by the time the horn sounded, Minnesota was up 18-3. The tone was set-and it was all Gophers.
Minnesota’s game plan was clear: dominate the interior. And they executed it to perfection.
The Gophers owned the paint, outscoring Samford 56-10 inside and grabbing a 53-27 advantage on the boards. Sophie Hart was the anchor, finishing with a 17-point, 10-rebound double-double.
She was efficient, physical, and simply too much for Samford to handle.
The second quarter brought more of the same. Minnesota kept pounding the ball inside, and Hart continued to feast, scoring nine of her 17 points in the period.
Defensively, the Gophers didn’t let up. They held Samford to just 21% shooting in the second quarter and carried a commanding 35-9 lead into halftime.
Things got even more lopsided in the third. Minnesota stretched the lead to 51-11 at one point before Samford put together a 12-0 run to show a pulse. But Hart responded with four straight points to close the quarter, and the Gophers entered the final frame up 59-25.
With the game well in hand, head coach Dawn Plitzuweit gave her starters a rest midway through the fourth quarter, turning the final minutes over to the bench. The backups kept the energy up, and Nia Holloway added eight of her 10 points in the fourth to help seal the 37-point win.
Alongside Hart’s double-double, Tori McKinney chipped in 13 points, and Holloway rounded out the trio of Gophers in double figures. It was a complete team effort, built around physical dominance and disciplined defense.
But not everything was clicking. The Gophers’ outside shooting continues to be a concern.
Minnesota hit just 2-of-18 from beyond the arc, including a 1-for-6 night from leading scorer Mara Braun. That’s the kind of stat line that doesn’t hurt you against a team like Samford-but it could be a different story when Big Ten play begins.
And that test is coming fast. Minnesota opens conference play on Sunday against #7 Maryland, a team that’s 9-0 and loaded with talent.
The Terps bring balance and scoring depth, with four players averaging double figures, including standout freshman Addi Mack. The Minnehaha Academy product is averaging 12.3 points per game and has yet to miss a free throw this season-she’s a perfect 18-for-18 from the line.
Tip-off is set for 3 p.m. at the Barn, and it’ll be broadcast on Big Ten Network. For Minnesota, it’s a chance to prove that their dominance inside can translate against one of the nation’s elite. The Gophers have shown they can bully teams in the paint-but now comes the challenge of doing it when the lights are brightest and the competition stiffer.