Women's Top 25 roundup: No. 9 Michigan rallies to beat Minnesota

Field Level Media|published: Mon 5th January, 23:17 2026

Michigan women’s coach Kim Barnes Arico calls to her team during the first half against Oregon at Matthew Knight Arena Dec. 29, 2025.

Olivia Olson scored 13 of her 21 points after halftime and No. 9 Michigan used a fourth-quarter run to escape Minnesota 70-60 on Monday in Ann Arbor, Mich.

The Wolverines (12-2, 3-1 Big Ten) avoided another letdown after losing by 12 to Washington on Thursday. The Golden Gophers (10-4, 1-2) outshot Michigan 57.1% to 25% in the first quarter to build a 19-10 lead.

Michigan trailed by one at halftime and took a one-point lead into the fourth quarter before pouring in the first seven points of the period. Syla Swords had six points and three assists in the quarter and ended the night with 12 points, as did teammate Mila Holloway.

Grace Grocholski had 22 points and eight rebounds to pace Minnesota. Mara Braun added 14 points but the Golden Gophers committed 17 turnovers that led to 19 points for Michigan.

No. 14 Iowa 67, Northwestern 58

Ava Heiden shot 9 of 11 for 23 points and guided the Hawkeyes to a close win over the Wildcats in Evanston, Ill.

The game was played almost entirely within a single-digit margin. After Casey Harter (11 points) and Caroline Lau hit back-to-back 3-pointers to cut it to 62-58 with 59 seconds to play, Heiden and Chazadi Wright combined to ice the game with five free throws.

Wright put up 12 points, five rebounds and seven assists for Iowa (13-2, 4-0 Big Ten). Heiden also grabbed five boards to aid Iowa's 39-30 rebounding advantage. Grace Sullivan led all players with 28 points and seven rebounds to carry Northwestern (6-9, 0-4).

--Field Level Media