Thursday night delivered a captivating series of matchups in women's college basketball, featuring several upsets and standout performances across the Top 25. The Minnesota Golden Gophers orchestrated a significant victory by defeating the tenth-ranked Iowa Hawkeyes, showcasing their rising strength in the Big Ten conference. Elsewhere, perennial powerhouse South Carolina continued its dominant run, while Duke secured a hard-fought win against a top-ten opponent. Vanderbilt and Tennessee also emerged victorious from closely contested games, contributing to an exciting and unpredictable evening of collegiate hoops.
Minnesota Stuns Iowa and Other Top 25 Upsets
The biggest headline of the evening came from Iowa City, where the Minnesota Golden Gophers delivered a stunning upset over the No. 10 Iowa Hawkeyes, securing a 91-85 road victory. Grace Grocholski led Minnesota with an impressive 21 points, while Amaya Battle showcased an all-around performance with 12 points, 14 rebounds, and six assists. This win extends Minnesota's winning streak to five games, marking a significant turn for their season. Iowa, on the other hand, suffered its third consecutive loss, struggling to contain the Golden Gophers' offense despite an early lead.
Beyond Minnesota's breakthrough, the night was filled with competitive action. The No. 17 Duke Blue Devils also pulled off an upset, narrowly defeating the No. 6 Louisville Cardinals 59-58. Toby Fournier led Duke with 15 points, contributing to their remarkable 14-game winning streak after a challenging start to the season. This victory halted Louisville's own 14-game winning run, highlighting the intense competition at the top tiers of college basketball. These results underscore the unpredictable nature of the sport, where ranked teams must consistently bring their A-game to avoid being toppled by surging challengers.
Dominant Displays and Overtime Thrillers
While upsets captured much of the attention, some top-ranked teams asserted their dominance. The No. 3 South Carolina Gamecocks continued their formidable season with a commanding 88-45 victory over Mississippi State. Joyce Edwards contributed 21 points, and Ayla McDowell added 16, propelling South Carolina to their fourth consecutive win. The Gamecocks' exceptional shooting percentages across the board – 55% from the field, 43% from three-point range, and 93% from the free-throw line – illustrated their offensive efficiency and control over the game, solidifying their position as a top contender.
Other matchups provided nail-biting finishes. The No. 7 Vanderbilt Commodores secured a dramatic 84-83 win against the No. 16 Kentucky Wildcats. Mikayla Blakes delivered a stellar performance with 37 points, and Aubrey Galvan sealed the victory with crucial free throws in the final seconds. Similarly, the No. 19 Tennessee Lady Volunteers triumphed over Georgia in an overtime thriller, winning 82-77. Zee Spearman's 23 points, including eight in overtime, were instrumental in Tennessee's rally. Meanwhile, No. 25 North Carolina overcame Clemson with a strong second-half surge, with Nyla Harris contributing 17 points and 10 rebounds to their 53-44 victory, extending their winning streak to six games.