MINNEAPOLIS — Amaya Battle hit a tiebreaking jumper with less than a second remaining to lift Minnesota past Mississippi 65-63 and send the Gophers to the Sweet 16 for the first time in 21 years, The Associated Press reported.
Battle finished with 14 points, 11 rebounds and five assists. She took the inbound pass near the paint, dribbled along the baseline for space, swished the shot and landed on her back as teammates swarmed her in celebration, according to The Associated Press.
Mara Braun scored 17 points, including a tying 3-pointer with 1:17 left, and helped force a shot-clock violation by the Rebels on the next possession. Sophie Hart added 10 points and gave Minnesota its first lead since early in the third quarter with a drop-step bank shot with 18 seconds remaining, The Associated Press reported.
Mississippi’s Latasha Lattimore answered with a tying layup with three seconds to go. Tianna Thompson’s 3-point attempt at the top of the key on the final possession hit the front of the rim and fell short, preserving the Gophers’ victory, according to The Associated Press.
The No. 4 seed Gophers (24-8) will advance to Sacramento to face the winner of Monday’s game between No. 1 seed UCLA and No. 8 seed Oklahoma State. The No. 5 seed Rebels finished 24-12. Mississippi’s Cotie McMahon fouled out with 4:22 left after scoring 15 points, and the Rebels went the next 3:41 without scoring, The Associated Press reported.
Jon Ross Myers is the executive editor and publisher of the Mississippi News Network, Mississippi's largest digital only media company. He can be reached at editor@tippahnews.com
