As they have the past few games, the Gophers started well, getting four points from Hart in a 7-0 start to the first quarter. But, after missing seven of their first eight shots, most of the rest of the quarter belonged to the Illini, who finished it on an 18-8 run, getting five of those points off six Gophers turnovers.
Minnesota went without a field goal for the final 4:20 of the quarter, but the Gophers kept themselves in the game with their defense.
It wasn’t until 8:44 left remained in the half that the Gophers broke that streak — after a stretch of more than 5½ minutes — with Grace Grocholski’s three-pointer.
The Gophers continued to play well on defense, holding the Illini to 3-for-12 shooting in the second quarter with five turnovers. But the Gophers couldn’t muster enough offense to take advantage of it while forging a 27-27 halftime tie. Minnesota made five of 15 shots and managed just two points off the Illini’s five TOs.
Eventually Illinois started to score.
The Illini opened the third quarter on a 19-8 run to go up 11 on Bryant’s basket with two minutes left. The Gophers trimmed that lead to eight entering the fourth quarter.
