Grace Grocholski led the way with 16 points, Mallory Heyer had 13 points and a team-high 12 rebounds and Minnesota beat North Dakota State 69-65 at Williams Arena in the round of 16 of the Women’s National Invitation Tournament on Friday night.

Amaya Battle scored 11 points and Sophie Hart added 10 as the Gophers survived a late rally by the Bison to earn their third win in the tournament. The Gophers will play the winner of the South Dakota-Wyoming game in the quarterfinals.

Minnesota led much of the first three quarters and took a 53-38 lead with 2:25 left in the third. A 14-point advantage to start the fourth was quickly whittled away by North Dakota State. The Bison scored 13 straight points to start the fourth and led 65-62 with 2:18 remaining.

Battle knocked down a pair of jump shots to put the Gophers back in front, and Niamya Holloway made a pair of free throws with 11 seconds left as Minnesota scored the final seven points of the game.

It’s the second win against North Dakota State this season for the Gophers, who won 75-73 at Williams Arena in November.

Elle Evans had 18 points for the Bison and Miriley Simon scored 12 off the bench.

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