Minnesota Gophers Complete Season Sweep Over Rival Wisconsin

The Gophers continue their hot streak with an 83-60 victory over the Badgers.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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The Minnesota Gophers women's basketball team continued their impressive run with an 83-60 win over rival Wisconsin on Sunday. Despite a sloppy start, the Gophers rallied to complete the season sweep over the Badgers, extending their win streak to 8 games. Sophomore guard Mara Braun led the way with 20 points, continuing her strong play over the last several games. The Gophers have now won 13 of their last 16 games, overcoming early adversity to position themselves well for postseason play.

Why it matters

The Gophers' dominant performance over their in-state rival Wisconsin showcases their status as one of the hottest teams in the Big Ten. With an 11-4 conference record and 20-6 overall, Minnesota is firmly in the NCAA Tournament picture and looking to secure a high seed. The team' s ability to overcome early struggles and maintain their winning ways is an encouraging sign as they prepare for the postseason.

The details

After jumping out to an 18-12 lead in the first quarter, Wisconsin was unable to sustain their early momentum. The Gophers clamped down defensively and took control of the game, outscoring the Badgers 71-42 over the final three quarters. Sophomore guard Mara Braun continued her strong play of late, scoring 20 points on 7-of-12 shooting. Veteran forward Sophie Hart also made her presence felt with 13 points and 6 rebounds. The Gophers' balanced scoring attack and stifling defense proved too much for their rivals.

  • The Gophers have now won 8 consecutive games.
  • Minnesota' s only Big Ten loss this season came in double-overtime against Maryland in December.

The players

Mara Braun

A sophomore guard for the Minnesota Gophers who has emerged as one of the team' s top scorers, averaging 14.4 points over her last 5 games.

Sophie Hart

A veteran forward for the Gophers who has quietly been one of the team' s most improved players, increasing her scoring, rebounding, and shooting percentages this season.

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What they’re saying

“When Braun is at her best, she' s among the best shot creators in the country. Minnesota has a significantly higher ceiling in the postseason if it continues to play at this level.”

— Tony Liebert, Sports Analyst (Twitter)

What’s next

The Gophers will look to continue their strong play as they finish the regular season with three straight Quad 1 games against Ohio State, Michigan, and Illinois.

The takeaway

The Minnesota Gophers have proven themselves to be one of the most resilient and dangerous teams in the Big Ten this season. Their ability to overcome early adversity and maintain a high level of play has them firmly in the NCAA Tournament picture, and they will be a team to watch as the postseason approaches.