All good. But Grocholski’s three-point shooting is a huge positive. With Braun sidelined, Grocholski’s range is critical as the team prepares for the Big Ten opener Sunday at Nebraska. As a freshman, she shot nearly 35% on threes, making a team-best 79. But through the first seven games this year she was just 8-for-39.
But, starting with two games at the Big Easy Classic in New Orleans last week, Grocholski has hit 12 of 27 (44.4%) in her past three games.
“It always feels good when they go in,” Grocholski said. “My teammates, they tell me to keep shooting, so you keep shooting no matter what.”
When they go in, space is created in the post, one reason the Gophers centers were so efficient. Hart hit all six of her shots. Stewart, who has led the team or tied for the lead in scoring in four of 10 games, was 5-for-5.
“It’s important for us,” Plitzuweit said. “In order to establish an inside-out game, we also have to be able to kick it out and make good decisions with it on the perimeter. Hitting open shots is a major part of that.”
Grocholski scored nine points in less than seven minutes, hitting three of four threes as the Gophers opened the game with a 33-6 first quarter. By halftime, she had 12 points and the Gophers already had three players in double figures. After the Gophers took a 52-18 halftime lead, Plitzuweit went to the bench, with 14 players seeing action and 10 scoring.
