Minnesota Dominates Wisconsin In Record-Tying Big Ten Win

It was a chilly afternoon in Minneapolis, but the action inside Williams Arena was anything but cold as the Minnesota Golden Gophers women’s basketball team delivered a resounding 88-53 victory over the Wisconsin Badgers on January 25, 2026. This Big Ten showdown not only showcased Minnesota’s offensive firepower, but also tied the largest margin of victory in the storied rivalry’s history—a record previously set back on March 10, 1993. With 5,749 fans, including 77 program alumni, roaring from the stands, the Gophers put on a show that left the Badgers searching for answers.

Minnesota, now 14-6 overall and 5-4 in the Big Ten, came out of the gates with a purpose. They shot an eye-popping 59.3 percent from the field, including a blistering 56.3 percent from beyond the arc. The Gophers wasted no time establishing control, racing to a 24-12 lead after the first quarter behind the hot hand of Tori McKinney and the steady leadership of Amaya Battle. Wisconsin, who dropped to 13-8 overall and 5-5 in conference play, found themselves playing catch-up almost immediately and never quite recovered.

Amaya Battle, who’s been steadily increasing her shooting volume all season, stepped up with 18 points. She nearly matched her season total for three-pointers in a single game by knocking down three from deep. That’s quite the turnaround for a player who entered the contest just 4-for-24 from three-point range on the season, having gone nine straight games without a make. After the game, Battle was all smiles, joking, “Today, I guess. Today was the day,” when asked about her sudden long-range proficiency. She added, “I try to just come into the game with a clear mindset and just trying to go out there and play, do whatever my team needs me to do. It just has started to click a little bit. And then obviously just staying in, keeping reps in the gym, so I think that’s just starting to show, too.”

But Battle wasn’t the only Gopher making noise. Tori McKinney bounced back from a quiet scoring night in her previous outing to tie her season high with 20 points. She added seven rebounds and three steals, providing the kind of two-way impact Minnesota has come to rely on. “Just the spark she brings up both ends of the court, especially defensively. I mean, she really frustrates other teams. And she can beat almost anybody off the dribble,” said teammate Grace Grocholski. Battle chimed in as well: “She’s a motor, so we can always rely on her to get something whether that’s a bucket, that’s a stop, a steal, whatever. She’s always a constant force for our team that we can always rely on.”

Grocholski herself was a force, tallying 18 points—including seven during a decisive 12-0 run early in the fourth quarter that ballooned Minnesota’s lead to 22. Her contributions helped fuel a Gophers offense that looked nearly unstoppable, particularly during the game’s closing stretch. Minnesota outscored Wisconsin 32-7 over the final minutes, including an 18-2 run to close out the contest. The energy inside Williams Arena was palpable, with the crowd’s enthusiasm reaching a fever pitch. “The Barn, when it’s packed, it gets really loud. I remember this from high school. Because they’ll have state tournament games here, and whenever there’s a ton of fans it gets super loud,” Battle recalled, referencing her own memories as a Minnesota prep star.

Head coach Dawn Plitzuweit was quick to acknowledge the electric atmosphere and the dedication of the fans. “That was just an awful lot of fun. And I recognize it’s not all that warm outside. So to leave home, when the game is being televised, is something that we really appreciate,” Plitzuweit said. The Gophers certainly rewarded their supporters with a performance to remember.

On the Wisconsin side, there were bright spots, even in defeat. Destiny Howell led the Badgers with 16 points, shooting 6-for-14 from the field and drilling four of her six attempts from three-point range. Howell was particularly explosive in the third quarter, pouring in 13 of her points as Wisconsin enjoyed its best shooting stretch of the afternoon. The Badgers shot 8-for-14 from the field and hit five three-pointers in that period, briefly narrowing the gap before Minnesota’s late surge put the game out of reach.

Kyrah Daniels added 13 points for Wisconsin, converting six free throws and grabbing four rebounds. Ronnie Porter chipped in nine points, setting a new career high with three made three-pointers and reaching the 400 career rebounds milestone—a testament to her consistency and hustle. Gift Uchenna provided a steady presence inside, finishing with eight points, six rebounds, three assists, and a block. Dorja Zaja contributed five early points in the paint, helping the Badgers stay within reach during the opening minutes.

Despite these individual efforts, Wisconsin struggled to keep pace with Minnesota’s efficient offense. The Badgers finished the game shooting 34.6 percent from the field (18-52), 37.5 percent from three-point range (9-24), and 88.9 percent from the free throw line (8-9). In contrast, Minnesota’s red-hot shooting proved too much to overcome, as the Gophers went 32-for-54 from the field and 15-for-19 from the charity stripe.

The defeat stings for Wisconsin, who trailed 44-24 at halftime and never quite found their footing. Still, the Badgers showed resilience, particularly in the third quarter, but the Gophers’ relentless pace and late-game execution made the difference. As the final buzzer sounded, Minnesota’s players celebrated a historic win in front of their largest home crowd of the season.

Looking ahead, Wisconsin faces a tough challenge as they stay on the road to take on No. 12 Ohio State on Thursday, January 29, with tip-off scheduled for 7:00 p.m. CT. Fans can catch the action on Big Ten Network or the FOX Sports app. Meanwhile, Minnesota will look to build on their momentum as they travel to Penn State on Wednesday, January 28, before returning home to host Purdue on Sunday, February 1.

With the Big Ten season heating up and both teams eyeing postseason aspirations, there’s no time to dwell on the past. For Minnesota, this dominant win could be a sign of things to come. For Wisconsin, it’s a chance to regroup and refocus as the road ahead only gets tougher. One thing’s for sure: if the energy and determination displayed at Williams Arena are any indication, the rest of the season promises plenty more excitement for fans of Big Ten women’s basketball.