The process began after Northwestern used a 5-0 start to the fourth quarter to take a 16-point lead on Kyla Jones’ basket with 8:09 left.

Then the switch flipped. The Gophers denied more in the paint, picked up the ball full court. On offense, they raised the aggression.

The change was amazing. Through the first 31:51, the Wildcats made 29 of 51 field-goal tries (56.9%), seven of 13 three-point attempts, and committed just two turnovers. After that? They went 3-for-14 overall, 0-for-2 on threes, and committed three turnovers that the Gophers turned into five points down the stretch.

“I think we just found a way,” said Grocholski, who has scored in double figures in five straight games, averaging 17.2 points during that time. “We did everything in our power to get stops, to get good looks. We found more intensity in that fourth quarter. Momentum is a huge thing. Us getting in transition a little bit, stringing scores, it allowed us to lock in on defense.”

And on offense? Grocholski’s two free throws with 7:50 left started the comeback. Over the final eight minutes, the Gophers hit seven of eight field-goal attempts and 14 of 17 free-throw tries — Battle was 6-for-8, Grocholski 5-for-5 — while scoring 29 points.

After Holloway’s final basket, Walsh scored with 26 seconds left to make it a two-point game. But Battle made one of two free-throw tries a second later, got the rebound of Northwestern’s ensuing miss, then followed with two game-clinching free throws with nine seconds left.