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In a game that felt like a turning point for a resurgent Big Ten program, the University of Minnesota women’s basketball team stormed back from a double-digit deficit to stun No. 21 USC 63–62 on January 11, 2026, at Williams Arena in Minneapolis. The Golden Gophers erased a 13-point second-half hole, snapped a six-year drought against ranked opponents, and added a crucial signature win to their NCAA tournament résumé.
For athletes and families watching the women’s college basketball landscape, this kind of result is exactly the type of performance that can reshape a program’s reputation almost overnight. It is also the kind of game that recruits, club coaches, and high school staffs notice when evaluating where a team is headed, not just where it has been.
Before the upset of USC, Minnesota had gone 37 consecutive games without a win over a ranked opponent, a stretch that dated back to a home victory over then-No. 19 Arizona State in November 2019. That drought weighed on the program through coaching changes and rebuilds, even as the Golden Gophers started to show progress under third-year head coach Dawn Plitzuweit.
Ending that streak in front of a home crowd at Williams Arena gave the team and its fan base a tangible sign that the rebuild is taking hold. It also validated momentum from the program’s 2025 Women’s Basketball Invitation Tournament (WBIT) championship and a strong nonconference résumé heading into Big Ten play.
Against USC, Minnesota improved to 12–4 overall and 3–2 in the Big Ten, while the Trojans, then ranked No. 21 nationally, dropped to 10–7 and 2–3 in league play. More than the records, though, the way the game unfolded underscored how much tougher and more resilient Minnesota has become.
From the opening tip, Minnesota made clear it was not intimidated by the Trojans’ ranking. The Golden Gophers opened the game on a 10–0 run, capped by a basket from guard Amaya Battle, setting an energetic tone inside the Barn.
That early burst reflected two themes that would define the afternoon: attacking the paint and controlling the glass. Minnesota scored 10 of its 18 first-quarter points at the rim, punishing USC inside and limiting the Trojans to one shot on many possessions. After 10 minutes, the Gophers led 18–10 and had already signaled that USC would have to scrap for every clean look.
Defensively, Minnesota’s pressure began to bother the Trojans, who were known for their perimeter shooting. The Gophers forced turnovers and disrupted rhythm, a preview of the 17 USC miscues that would loom large by game’s end.
The second quarter reminded everyone why USC was ranked in the top 25. After Minnesota’s Mara Braun scored to make it 23–13, the Trojans erupted on a 19–0 run that completely flipped the game. Suddenly, USC led 32–23 and looked poised to run away with a road win.
Freshman guard Jazzy Davidson powered that surge, scoring 15 of her eventual 21 points in the period. She repeatedly punished the Gophers from beyond the arc, showcasing the kind of shot-making that has made her one of the more intriguing young guards in the country.
Where some rebuilding teams might have folded under that kind of avalanche, Minnesota steadied itself. The Gophers closed the half with five straight points from Braun and center Sophie Hart, trimming the deficit to 34–30 at the break despite being outscored 24–12 in the second quarter. Keeping the game within reach at halftime would prove critical.
Any sense that the halftime break would reset momentum went out the window early in the third quarter. USC opened the half on an 11–2 run, stretching its lead to 45–32 just over two minutes in. At that point, a 13-point deficit against a ranked opponent could easily have become the final storyline.
Instead, Minnesota’s defense tightened and junior wing Grace Grocholski took over the game.
The Gophers strung together a 14–0 run, fueled by aggressive defense and confident shot-making. During one stretch, Grocholski scored 10 straight Minnesota points, attacking off the dribble, hitting jumpers, and spacing the floor with her range. The run flipped the score from 45–32 USC to a 46–45 Minnesota lead, sending Williams Arena into a frenzy as the home side completed a comeback from 13 down.
USC’s Kara Dunn quieted the crowd momentarily with a three-pointer in the final seconds of the quarter, giving the Trojans a 48–46 edge heading into the fourth. But the tenor of the game had changed. Minnesota was the more physical, confident team, especially on the boards.
The final 10 minutes became a test of composure. After the teams traded baskets to reach a 50–50 tie, Minnesota made another decisive push.
Guard Brylee Glenn split a pair of free throws to give Minnesota a one-point lead. On the next defensive stand, the Gophers came up with a key stop, and Grocholski delivered again. She knocked down a turnaround jumper in the lane to push the lead to 53–50.
On the ensuing inbounds, Glenn came up with a critical steal, and Minnesota capitalized. The ball found Grocholski on the perimeter, and she buried a three-pointer to extend the advantage to 56–50 with under six minutes remaining. It was the kind of sequence that defines a star’s performance and showcases how disruptive on-ball defense can shift momentum instantly.
Minnesota later built the lead to seven with just 41 seconds left, seemingly putting the game out of reach. But late-game execution is rarely tidy in a high-stakes upset, and the Gophers struggled at the foul line down the stretch. They made just four of six free throws in the final minute and went 6 of 12 from the stripe for the quarter overall, leaving the window open for a USC comeback.
Dunn nearly made Minnesota pay. She scored 8 points in the final 31 seconds and hit a three-pointer at the buzzer, slicing the margin to a single point. Ultimately, though, Minnesota’s earlier defensive stands, rebounding dominance, and timely runs held up in a 63–62 victory.
While the highlight moments belonged to Grocholski and Dunn, the box score reveals why the game broke Minnesota’s way. The Gophers owned the glass and controlled the paint in ways that USC could not match.
Minnesota finished with a 40–32 rebounding edge, including a remarkable 18 offensive rebounds. Those extra possessions turned into a 23–2 advantage in second-chance points, an enormous gap that effectively decided the game.
The Gophers also posted a commanding 36–10 edge in points in the paint. That inside presence offset USC’s efficient shooting: the Trojans hit 44 percent of their field goals and an impressive 45.5 percent from three-point range. In many games, that kind of perimeter shooting would be enough to secure a ranked road win.
Turnovers were another quiet separator. Minnesota forced 17 USC turnovers while committing only 9, resulting in a 16–7 edge in points off turnovers. Taken together, the offensive boards, second-chance points, and turnover margin gave Minnesota the cushion it needed to withstand USC’s late barrage from deep.
Grocholski’s afternoon was the definition of a statement performance. She finished with 25 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 steals, at one stretch scoring 17 of Minnesota’s last 20 points. Time after time, when USC threatened to seize momentum, she responded with a critical bucket or defensive play.
Sophie Hart anchored the interior with 15 points and 6 rebounds, punishing USC in the paint and helping to create the 36–10 edge inside. Even on a day when her scoring touch came and went, Braun delivered in other ways: she grabbed a team-high 10 rebounds and played a vital role in securing the defensive glass.
For USC, Dunn was the game’s leading scorer with 27 points, including all 14 of the Trojans’ points in the fourth quarter. Her late-game heroics nearly stole the result. Davidson added 21 points and 8 rebounds, continuing her impressive freshman campaign. In a testament to the shot-making on both sides, Davidson, Dunn, and Grocholski each knocked down five three-pointers.
In the modern NCAA women’s basketball landscape, metrics and quality wins drive postseason discussions. By mid-January, Minnesota had worked its way into the top 15 of the NCAA’s NET rankings, thanks in large part to a strong nonconference schedule and the WBIT title the previous March.
Beating a ranked USC team gave Minnesota a decisive “Quadrant 1” type victory that selection committees emphasize when evaluating at-large bids. Even after a subsequent loss to top-five UCLA, the USC win remained a signature result that could carry major weight when March brackets are built.
Contextually, the win also signaled that Minnesota is ready to compete with ranked opponents on its home floor. For recruits, that matters. Winning at home in a high-pressure environment speaks to a program’s culture, preparation, and belief.
For independent context on how the NCAA evaluates postseason résumés, athletes and families can explore resources from the NCAA itself, such as its public explanations of the NET and selection process at https://www.ncaa.com, and analytical coverage from outlets like ESPN at https://www.espn.com/womens-college-basketball/.
Beyond the box score, this game reflected the identity Minnesota is solidifying under Plitzuweit. The Gophers have emphasized defense, rebounding, and toughness, and all three pillars were central to beating USC.
Winning the WBIT in 2025 was the first sign that the program was turning a corner. That postseason title gave returning players a taste of elimination-game pressure and raised expectations heading into the 2025–26 season. The upset of USC felt like the next step: beating a nationally ranked opponent in a high-visibility regular-season game.
For a flagship public research university located in a major metropolitan area, building a compelling women’s basketball brand is about more than one game. It is about stacking results, proving that strong seasons and postseason runs are sustainable, and building a home-court atmosphere that makes ranked visitors uncomfortable. This win checked a lot of those boxes.
For prospective student-athletes, the Minnesota–USC game offers some useful lessons about how to evaluate college programs beyond just records and logos:
If you are exploring your own college options, tools like the Pathley College Directory and the AI assistant at https://app.pathley.ai/ can help you discover programs that match your academic, athletic, and location goals and compare them side by side.
Games like Minnesota–USC also highlight the broader basketball ecosystem in Minneapolis. While the upset took place at Williams Arena, the city itself is home to a range of college options, including Augsburg University, located right in Minneapolis.
Augsburg competes in a different context than a Big Ten institution, but it offers a blend of academics, urban campus life, and athletics that can be compelling for many recruits. For players who want a strong city environment with access to internships, pro sports, and vibrant basketball culture, exploring a campus like Augsburg University can open up pathways that look different from large-conference programs but are no less valuable.
Using AI-powered tools such as Pathley Chat, athletes can quickly compare schools like Augsburg with other options across divisions and regions, saving schools to a shortlist and tracking how each fits their academic and athletic priorities.
For recruits drawn to the Minneapolis area, there are additional local options beyond Augsburg that may align with different academic interests, competitive levels, and campus sizes.
Looking at multiple schools in the same city can be particularly helpful for recruits who know they want an urban experience but are still sorting out the right competitive and academic fit.
A single game will not determine your college choice, but it can sharpen what you are looking for. When you watch a high-level contest like Minnesota’s 63–62 win over USC, ask yourself:
From there, you can use tools like the Pathley Rankings Directory to identify programs by strength, affordability, or academic focus and combine that with your own film, stats, and academic profile to build a realistic target list.
Creating a free profile at https://app.pathley.ai/sign_up lets you unlock AI-powered college matching, organize your recruiting information, and get personalized guidance on where a breakout performance like Grocholski’s might put you on different programs’ radar.
Minnesota’s 63–62 upset over No. 21 USC was more than a mid-January thrill. It broke a six-year, 37-game drought against ranked opponents, showcased a breakout star in Grace Grocholski, and provided tangible proof that the program’s emphasis on defense, rebounding, and toughness is translating into high-level wins.
For aspiring college athletes, it is a reminder that program trajectories can change quickly when culture, coaching, and player development align. Whether you are drawn to Big Ten environments, urban private campuses like Augsburg University, or other options across the country, the key is finding a school where your skills, goals, and the program’s identity truly match.
With resources like the Pathley College Directory and AI-powered guidance at app.pathley.ai, you can explore those fits more efficiently and focus on the opportunities that give you the best chance to grow, compete, and succeed on and off the court.
