Minnesota Holds Off Marquette in Women's Basketball

No. 17 Minnesota outrebounded Marquette 39-23 and used late perimeter shooting to pull away at Al McGuire Center.

Updated on Nov. 8, 2026 in Basketball

Minnesota Holds Off Marquette in Women's Basketball

No. 17 Minnesota defeated Marquette in women's basketball at the Al McGuire Center on November 8. Marquette cut an early 12-0 deficit with multiple 3-pointers, but Minnesota maintained its lead through perimeter shooting and second-chance points.

Why it matters

The result shows Marquette's ability to rally from an early hole using three-point shooting, while Minnesota's rebounding edge proved decisive. For Milwaukee fans following the program, the game highlights both the team's offensive firepower and the areas where it must improve on the glass.

Marquette's 58.2% field goal percentage outpaced Minnesota's 43.8%, yet Minnesota's 39-23 rebounding advantage and 21-2 edge in second-chance points offset the shooting gap. The available box score does not show how these figures compare to either team's season averages.

The players

Halle Vice

Halle Vice is a Marquette guard from Bettendorf, Iowa, who scored 25 points in the loss to Minnesota.

Marquette Golden Eagles

Marquette University's women's basketball program competes in the Big East Conference and plays its home games at the Al McGuire Center in Milwaukee.

The details

Marquette trailed 12-0 early before Halle Vice hit its first 3-pointer with just under four minutes left in the first quarter. Vice finished with 25 points, six rebounds and four assists, while Kayl Petersen, Jordan Meulemans and Yu Han Lin added perimeter scoring, and Leah Harmon's late 3-pointer sealed the win for Minnesota.

November 8, 2026: Marquette lost to No. 17 Minnesota at the Al McGuire Center.

Season Trajectory

Marquette's rally behind early three-pointers reflects the broader role of perimeter shooting in women's college basketball, where teams increasingly rely on long-range offense to close gaps. Minnesota's win, built on rebounding and second-chance points, underscores how interior control still determines outcomes in close games.

Marquette's loss drops it to 0-1 against ranked opponents this season, a result that matters for early tournament seeding considerations. Fans can track the team's rebounding numbers, which will be critical in conference play.

The takeaway

Marquette showed it can rally from a double-digit deficit with perimeter shooting, but a 39-23 rebounding gap proved costly against a ranked opponent. Improving the glass is the clearest lesson from this loss.