MINNEAPOLIS (Interstat) — In a game defined by contrasting styles and a frantic final minute, Grace Grocholski’s 25 points and a critical late free throw by Tori McKinney lifted the Minnesota Golden Gophers to a 63-62 victory over the Southern California Women of Troy in a Big Ten women’s basketball clash Sunday at Williams Arena.

The game, a defensive struggle marked by poor shooting and turnovers, came down to the final possession. Southern California’s Kara Dunn, who led all scorers with 27 points, hit a deep 3-pointer with 10 seconds remaining to tie the game at 62. On the ensuing inbounds play, Minnesota’s Mara Braun was fouled and made the first of two free throws to put the Golden Gophers ahead by one. She missed the second, but USC’s Jazzy Davidson, who had 21 points and eight rebounds, was called for a foul while battling for the rebound with 7 seconds left.

Minnesota’s Tori McKinney stepped to the line and calmly sank the first free throw to extend the lead to two. She missed the second, but USC’s last-ditch attempt, a rushed 3-pointer from Dunn as time expired, was off the mark, sealing the one-point win for the home team.

The most important part of the game was the final 30 seconds of regulation, a sequence featuring two ties and two lead changes. With Minnesota leading 59-56, Dunn was fouled on a 3-point attempt and made all three free throws to knot the score with 46 seconds left. Minnesota’s Grace Grocholski then drew a foul and missed both free throws, but Sophie Hart secured the offensive rebound and put it back in to give the Gophers a 61-59 lead with 11 seconds to go. USC answered immediately, with Malia Samuels finding Dunn for another clutch 3-pointer to tie it at 61 with 10 seconds remaining, setting the stage for the decisive foul shots by Braun and McKinney.

The contest was a tale of statistical extremes. Southern California lived by the 3-pointer, making 14 of 31 from beyond the arc, accounting for 42 of their 62 points. However, they were largely silenced inside, managing only 10 points in the paint and being outrebounded 17-5 on the offensive glass. Minnesota, conversely, dominated the interior with 36 paint points and 17 second-chance opportunities but struggled from deep, hitting just 5 of 18 from 3-point range and 10 of 17 from the free throw line.

Both teams coughed up possessions, with USC committing 15 turnovers and Minnesota giving it away nine times. Each team capitalized, with Minnesota scoring 16 points off turnovers and USC scoring 12.

Grocholski’s 25-point performance, which included three 3-pointers, paced Minnesota. Sophie Hart added 15 points and six rebounds, while Braun contributed six points and a game-high 10 rebounds. For Southern California, Davidson’s 21 points were complemented by her all-around effort of eight rebounds, four assists and two blocks. Samuels directed the offense with six assists.

The loss drops Southern California to 10-6 overall. The Women of Troy will host Maryland on Wednesday. Minnesota improves to 12-4 and will welcome UCLA to Williams Arena on Wednesday.