Buzzer-beater by Amaya Battle sends Minnesota to first Sweet 16 since 2009
Minnesota women's basketball has endured a long drought since its last Sweet 16. Now it returns thanks to a buzzer-beater by Amaya Battle.
The Minnesota Golden Gophers women's basketball team has endured quite the March Madness drought. Despite several seasons with potential championship aspirations, even ranking as high as No. 12 during the 2018-19 season, the Gophers have not advanced to the Sweet 16 since 2005.
You know what they say about streaks though; they are meant to be broken, and Minnesota accomplished just that Sunday, taking down Ole Miss in the Round of 32 thanks to a buzzer-beater from Amaya Battle. AMAYA BATTLE WITH THE GAME-WINNER FOR THE GOPHERS āØļø Minnesota advances to its first Sweet 16 since 2005! š± pic.
twitter. com/t1R9t9OvZo ā ESPN (@espn) March 22, 2026 It was a close game all the way through. In fact, Minnesota was trailing by eight entering the final quarter.
Then, their defense clamped down, holding Ole Miss to just nine points in the final 10 minutes, and winning on that baseline jumper from Battle. Amaya Battle stats Though Battle did not lead her team in points, she was a major contributor to Minnesota's win outside of that final shot, leading all players with 11 rebounds in the game. She added 14 points and five assists (led Minnesota).