Gophers Defeat Penn State in Big Ten Matchup

Minnesota women's basketball team improves to 15-6 on the season with 21-point victory

Jan. 28, 2026 at 9:15pm

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The Minnesota women's basketball team defeated Penn State 87-66 on Wednesday evening. Tori McKinney led the Gophers with 23 points, while Mara Braun recorded 22 points. Minnesota was able to pull away in the second half after a close first half, outscoring Penn State 45-28 in the final two quarters.

Why it matters

This Big Ten conference win improves Minnesota's record to 15-6 overall and 6-4 in conference play, keeping them in the hunt for a strong finish to the regular season. The Gophers showcased their offensive firepower, with four starters scoring in double figures and the team hitting 10 3-pointers.

The details

Minnesota held a slim 42-38 lead at halftime, but broke the game open in the third quarter with a 17-7 run. The Gophers shot the ball well, connecting on 10 of 22 attempts from 3-point range, and also recorded 20 assists while forcing 14 Penn State turnovers.

  • The game was played on Wednesday, January 29, 2026.
  • Minnesota returns home to face Purdue on Sunday, February 2, 2026 at 2 p.m.

The players

Tori McKinney

Led the Gophers with 23 points in the victory.

Mara Braun

Scored 22 points for Minnesota.

Sophie Hart

Recorded 12 points for the Gophers.

Amaya Battle

Scored 12 points and led all rebounders with 10 boards.

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What’s next

Minnesota returns home to face Purdue on Sunday, February 2, 2026 at 2 p.m. The game will be televised on BTN+.

The takeaway

This conference win keeps Minnesota in the hunt for a strong finish to the Big Ten regular season, showcasing the Gophers' offensive firepower and balanced scoring attack.