Minnesota Falls Flat as Washington Cruises to Big Ten Tournament Win

The Washington Huskies came out strong and never looked back, rolling past the Minnesota Golden Gophers 79-65 in the first round of the Big Ten Women’s Basketball Tournament. With a combination of clutch shooting and tough defense, Washington punched their ticket to the next round, leaving Minnesota struggling to keep up.

Ella Ladine Steals the Show

Sophomore guard Ella Ladine was everywhere on the court, leading Washington with 21 points, eight rebounds, and five assists. Whether she was knocking down shots, grabbing key rebounds, or setting up her teammates, Ladine was the driving force behind the Huskies’ offense.

And she wasn’t alone. Freshman Sayvia Sellers chipped in 15 points, while sophomore Hannah Stines added 14 of her own. Junior forward Dalayah Daniels also had a big night, putting up 15 points—including 11 in the final quarter when Washington put the game away for good.

Minnesota’s Struggles Were Too Much to Overcome

Minnesota had flashes of strong play but couldn’t find a rhythm against Washington’s aggressive defense. Freshman guard Grace Grocholski did her best to keep the Gophers in it, finishing with 21 points, seven rebounds, and five assists. But it wasn’t enough.

Outside of Grocholski, Minnesota had trouble finding consistent scoring. Freshman forward Mallory Heyer added 11 points, and junior guard Tori McKinney contributed 10 points and six rebounds. The Gophers shot just 39.4% from the field, struggling to keep pace with Washington’s efficient offense.

Washington Closes the Door in the Fourth Quarter

For three quarters, Minnesota managed to hang around, keeping Washington’s lead within single digits. But when the fourth quarter started, the Huskies slammed the door shut. Daniels dominated inside, and Washington’s defense tightened up, forcing Minnesota into tough shots and key turnovers.

The Huskies outscored the Gophers 24-16 in the final period, showing poise and execution when it mattered most. Once Washington got rolling, there was no stopping them.

What’s Next for Washington?

With this win, Washington (19-12) moves on to face fifth-seeded Michigan (20-9) in the next round. It’ll be a tougher test, but if they keep playing like they did against Minnesota, they have a real shot at pulling off another win.