Gophers flat in first Big Ten game, 84-65 loss at Nebraska
The Cornhuskers, the first ranked opponent for the U this season, ended Minnesota's 10-0 start.
LINCOLN, Neb. — Amiah Hargrove came off the bench to hit back-to-back 3-pointers and eight straight points as No. 25 Nebraska built a 16-point lead after a quarter and rolled to an 84-65 win over previously unbeaten Minnesota in a Big Ten Conference opener on Sunday.
The Cornhuskers (8-1) were dominant on the boards, outrebounding the Golden Gophers 49-30 while amassing 22 assists on their 31 made baskets in the wire-to-wire win.
Minnesota (10-1) came into the game as the only unbeaten team in the Big Ten while earning votes in the women’s Top 25 poll. But the Gophers had difficulty getting untracked against its first ranked opponent of the season, finishing the first half with just 19 points.
The Gophers were paced by Mallory Heyer’s 12 points and eight rebounds. Tory McKinney had 11 points, while Grace Grocholski and Alexsia Rose each added 10.
The Huskers got exactly half their offensive output from the bench. Alberte Rimdal led the effort, hitting 4 of 8 from the field — including 2 of 5 from 3-point range — to score 12 points while dishing six assists.
The Gophers return home to play host to Jacksonville State on Wednesday at Williams Arena. Tip is set for 7 p.m.
Neither team will play a Big Ten opponent until after Christmas. Nebraska faces its toughest road trip of the season when it travels to play No. 1 UCLA on Dec. 29 and No. 6 USC on New Year’s Day. Minnesota plays at Wisconsin on New Year’s Eve.
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