Winners of seven of its last eight games, including a one-point win over then-No. 21 USC on Sunday, the Gopher women’s basketball team faced its toughest challenge yet Wednesday night.
Chalk it up as another learning experience.
Gophers guard Brylee Glenn battles with a UCLA defender during Minnesota’s loss to the third-ranked Bruins at Williams Arena on Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026. (Brad Rempel / Gophers Athletics)
Minnesota got 16 points from Amaya Battle and 15 from Mara Braun but struggled with consistency in a 76-58 loss to No. 3 UCLA.
Offensively, Minnesota went more than seven minutes without scoring in the opening quarter and missed seven of its first nine third-quarter shots. The Gophers scored zero fast-break points and did not attempt a free throw until the fourth quarter.
On the bright side, the shooting percentage each quarter increased from 28.6% in the opening frame, peaking at 50% over the final 10 minutes.
“We 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,” said coach Dawn Plitzuweit, who half-heartedly joked about setting a record for shots rimming out. “… (But) having Amaya and Mara step up and carry more of the scoring load is something that was important for us to see.”
UCLA was the latest top conference opponent the Gophers can use to measure where they are at.
Eight Big 10 teams are ranked in this week’s AP Top 25 — six in the top 15 — and Minnesota, Washington, USC and Oregon received votes. The Gophers (12-5, 3-3 Big Ten) are 1-3 against ranked conference foes, but could easily be 3-1.
No. 7 Maryland scored 10 points in the final minute of double overtime to beat Minnesota 100-99 Dec. 7, and No. 9 Michigan outscored Minnesota by nine points in the fourth quarter of a 70-60 loss Jan. 5.
“We need to learn from every game, whether it’s a win or loss,” Braun said.
“You could play the best team in the conference one day or the worst team in the conference and you’re still going to have a game. Just understanding that you have to come with the same mindset every game, like nobody’s a pushover,” Battle said. “At the end of the season, when you’re in postseason play you already have that toughness, that consistency.”
Kiki Rice tied a career-high with 25 points to lead UCLA and 6-foot-7 center Lauren Betts finished with 17 points and 10 rebounds, but the Bruins scored 11 points below their season average.
Winners of 10 straight, the Bruins shot 60% from the field and made 17 of 19 free throws, numbers the Gophers don’t want to see by an opponent. But they’ll take the 17 turnovers forced, including nine steals, that prevented this from being a blowout.
“The way they are connected, the toughness they play defense with is very impressive,” UCLA coach Cori Close.said. “They gave us everything we could handle.”
Up next for Minnesota is a trip to the Pacific Northwest to play Washington on Sunday and Oregon on Wednesday.
“You have put all the pieces together. Are we capable of doing that?” Plitzuweit asked. “We have to be in order to be one of those (top) teams. That’s another step we have to take.”
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