Gophers lose to UCLA 76-58 and drop to 12-5, 3-3 in Big Ten play.
Gophers defense allows just 51 points through three quarters before allowing 25 in the fourth. They force 18 turnovers and held UCLA’s offense in check throughout most of the game.
Offensively they just couldn’t break out, after jumping out to a 7-2 lead they finished the first quarter scoring just 9 total points, going 4/14 from the field. In the second they scored an improved fifteen points, but still struggled going 7/18. Overall the offense did shoot a significantly better 14/30 in the second half, however they went 2/8 from distance in the second. Despite taking seventeen shots more than UCLA the Gophers still failed to get much of a rhythm on that side throughout the game.
Ultimately the poor shooting and failure to capitalize on the UCLA mistakes (only 3 fast break points off the 18 turnovers) were to0 much to overcome as Lauren Betts came alive in the fourth quarter, dominating on the glass and displaying the talents that have her projected as a top three pick in the WNBA draft.
The Gophers now go on the road to face a 13-4 Washington team, that has also started 3-3 in the Big Ten, on Sunday the 18th
Post game videos linked below
Dawn Plitzuweit Opening Statement-
Dawn Plitzuweit’s post game opening statement in full after loss to #3 UCLA
“I thought our young ladies played with a great deal of intensity, I thought our effort was outstanding, but our execution wasn’t as good as it needed to be… we got to learn from it because there were… pic.twitter.com/MhcCESz3up
— GopherHole.com (@GopherHole) January 15, 2026
Dawn Plitzuweit Full post game press conference-
Dawn Plitzuweit full post game press conference following loss to UCLA 76-58. pic.twitter.com/CWZBV1HWDI
— GopherHole.com (@GopherHole) January 15, 2026
Amaya Battle and Mara Braun post game press conference-
Mara Braun and Amaya Battle full post game interview following loss to UCLA pic.twitter.com/U20phdrLii
— GopherHole.com (@GopherHole) January 15, 2026