Stepping onto a bigger stage, hosting a game as a ranked team for the first time this season, the Gophers stumbled. The No. 23 Gophers lost 70-65 to No. 24 Michigan because they couldn’t score consistently on offense and couldn’t defend Michigan’s dynamic 1-2 freshman combination of Syla Swords and Olivia Olson.

The Gophers held the Wolverines to just seven points in the second quarter but were outscored in the other three in the loss. Still, they were well-positioned to take home their first win against a ranked opponent before the offense went cold in the waning minutes of the game.

Even with all the whistles and without the win, there was plenty for the Illini to learn from the Spartans game