Minnesota’s recent play is one of the biggest stories in the conference. The Gophers have won three straight: 84-81 vs. No. 21 Michigan, 72-67 at Iowa, and 77-69 vs. No. 15 Oregon. That trio of Quad 1 victories follows the team’s 0-6 start in conference play. That start, remember, included an 80-59 loss to Wisconsin.

MADISON, WISCONSIN – JANUARY 10: Dawson Garcia #3 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers goes up for a shot against Xavier Amos #13 of the Wisconsin Badgers during the first half of the game at Kohl Center on January 10, 2025 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)

The 23rd-ranked Gophers women's basketball team let arch-rival Wisconsin hang around for a while through the first half but dominated the second half on its way to a 71-50 blowout victory Sunday afternoon at Williams Arena in Minneapolis.

With shots not falling from outside the arc, the Gophers’ women’s basketball team switched strategy to begin the second half Sunday. Routinely getting the ball inside, Minnesota broke open a tie game with a 15-2 run and pulled away for a 71-50 win over Wisconsin at Williams Arena.

Wisconsin held Nebraska to its lowest point total (55) since a Dec. 7 loss to Michigan State (52). That performance raised the Badgers’ KenPom defensive efficiency ranking to No. 50 nationally, the highest it’s been all season. That pushed the team’s overall ranking to No. 14.