Key Takeaways from Minnesota’s Dominant Victory Over Marquette
Minnesota Gophers showcased an impressive performance on Tuesday night against Marquette, securing a decisive victory of 90-47. This win marked their third consecutive win, advancing their season record to 3-0.
Key Takeaways from Minnesota’s Dominant Victory Over Marquette
The Gophers established early control, jumping to an 11-0 lead. McKinney was instrumental, scoring nine of Minnesota’s first 13 points. Despite Marquette narrowing the gap to 15-12, Minnesota quickly responded with a 7-0 run, ending the first quarter with a 22-12 advantage. McKinney finished the game with an impressive 16 points, achieving 6 of 10 shooting accuracy.
Team Adjustments and Player Performances
This game was notably the first for Minnesota without veteran forward Taylor Woodson, who was sidelined for the season due to a knee injury. Previously, Minnesota utilized a 10-player rotation, but streamlined it to nine for this match. UAB transfer Tracey Bershers and true freshman Zoey Bershers were both ruled out before the game.
- Skylar Forbes and Jaidynn Mason, key players for Marquette, averaged 19.0 and 18.0 points per game, respectively.
- They managed only five points combined in the first half, shooting 3 of 9.
- Marquette contributed to their struggles with 14 turnovers in the first half.
Under the direction of head coach Dawn Plitzuweit, Minnesota executed a well-structured game plan, limiting Marquette’s effectiveness. By the end of the game, Marquette had a total of 15 points from 6 of 20 shooting.
Impact of Key Players
Health concerns surrounding Braun have been a recurring theme for Minnesota over the past seasons. Despite a slow start to the season, Braun tallied nine points, six rebounds, and seven assists against Marquette. This performance highlighted Minnesota’s depth and versatility, indicating they can compete effectively without relying solely on her scoring.
Another crucial addition this season has been Glenn, who joined the team after a significant injury layoff. Despite her absence last season, she has made a successful return, averaging 8.3 points per game. Her veteran experience bolsters the team as they aim for success throughout the 2025-26 season.