University of Minnesota Athletics

braun big ten weekly award

Braun Named Big Ten Freshman of the Week

11/14/2022 12:55:00 PM | Women's Basketball

MINNEAPOLIS – Minnesota guard Mara Braun has been named the Big Ten Freshman of the Week for the first time, the conference announced Monday.

The Wayzata, Minn., native dropped an average of 27.5 points per game in her first two collegiate contests, including 34 and a buzzer-beating shot to take down Lehigh 101-99 on Sunday night. Her 27.5 points per game ranks first in the Big Ten and No. 7 nationally. 

Braun's buzzer beater with 1.7 seconds left was the first last-second winning shot for Minnesota since Feb. 26, 2016, when Carlie Wagner downed No. 5 Ohio State in overtime. Her 34 points are the second most points by a freshman in school history and are the most since Laura Coenen at Wisconsin back on Feb. 18, 1983. 

Braun's week started with a 21-point performance in her collegiate debut against Western Illinois. Her 21 points tie her for the third-most by a freshman in a debut in school history. Braun is one of two Big Ten players to score 30 or more points in a game this season and are the second most in a game only behind Monika Czinano's 36 against Drake. 

Nationally Braun is one of nine players to drop at least 34 points in a game this season with the most in a game this season being 39 by Oral Roberts' Hannah Cooper against UNLV. 
 
The honor for Braun is the first for the Gophers since Alanna 'Rose' Micheaux last December. On top of her 27.5 points per game, Braun is also averaging 5.0 rebounds and 4.0 steals while shooting 46.7 percent from the floor. 
 
For more information on the Gophers, continue to check back with GopherSports.com. Keep up with the University of Minnesota women's basketball on Twitter and Instagram (@GopherWBB) and on Facebook, so you do not miss any content during the 2022-23 season.
 
Sights & Sounds: First Practice
Monday, September 29
Coach Plitzuweit Previews First Practice
Tuesday, September 23
CHS Home Grown Gophers: Mallory Heyer
Tuesday, September 23
Gopher Players Preview First Practice
Tuesday, September 23