Grace Grocholski tallied a career-high 27 points, and all five Minnesota starters scored in double figures Saturday as the Gophers rolled past Northwestern 88-63 in a Big Ten Conference game at Williams Arena.

Grocholski’s total was the eighth-most points in a game by a freshman in school history. The Wisconsin native made each of her first eight shots, including five treys, and had 18 points by halftime.

Janay Sanders, Amaya Battle and Mallory Heyer each had 13 points for the Gophers (15-10, 5-9 Big Ten). Sophie Hart contributed 10.

Grocholski hit three triples in the first two minutes and 20 seconds of the game to take a 9-2 lead on the visiting Wildcats. Minnesota capitalized on five Northwestern turnovers in the period, turning them into eight points.

The Gophers increased their lead to 42-33 at the half, then blew the game open with an 11-0 run in the third quarter.

Northwestern (8-17, 3-11) was led by Melannie Daley and Caileigh Walsh with 16 points each.

Minnesota next faces Wisconsin at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Williams Arena.

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