Minnesota women's basketball advances to Sweet 16

Amaya Battle's late jumper lifts Gophers over Ole Miss

Mar. 22, 2026 at 11:25pm

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The University of Minnesota women's basketball team has advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2005, defeating Ole Miss 65-63 in the second round. Amaya Battle hit the game-winning jumper with 0.8 seconds remaining to lift the fourth-seeded Gophers over the fifth-seeded Rebels.

Why it matters

The Gophers' return to the Sweet 16 is a significant milestone for the program, which has struggled to reach this stage of the tournament in recent years. The win over Ole Miss showcases the team's resilience and ability to make plays in clutch moments.

The details

In a close back-and-forth contest, Amaya Battle hit a stepback jumper in the final seconds to give Minnesota the victory. The Gophers trailed for much of the game but were able to rally late and secure the win.

  • The game was played on Sunday, March 22, 2026 in Minneapolis.
  • Amaya Battle hit the game-winning shot with 0.8 seconds remaining on the clock.

The players

Amaya Battle

A key player for the Minnesota Gophers women's basketball team who hit the game-winning shot to lift her team to the Sweet 16.

University of Minnesota

The fourth-seeded women's basketball team that defeated Ole Miss to advance to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2005.

Ole Miss

The fifth-seeded women's basketball team that lost to Minnesota in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

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What they’re saying

“This win is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team. We've been fighting all season to get back to this stage, and I'm so proud of the way we came together tonight.”

— Amaya Battle, Minnesota Gophers player

What’s next

The Gophers will now advance to the Sweet 16, where they will face the winner of the game between the top-seeded team and the eighth-seeded team.

The takeaway

Minnesota's return to the Sweet 16 is a significant accomplishment for the program, showcasing the team's resilience and ability to make plays in clutch moments. This win will likely inspire the Gophers to continue their tournament run and potentially make a deep push towards the Final Four.