University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
7-1,0-0Big Ten
Drake
5-3,0-0MVC
Braun's 33, 14 in OT, Leads Minnesota Past Drake 94-88
12/2/2023 4:12:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Braun played all 50 minutes and had zero turnovers.
MINNEAPOLIS, MN -- Sophie Hart put the Minnesota women's basketball team ahead for good on a basket with 3:00 left in the second overtime to give the Golden Gophers (7-1, 0-0 B1G) a 94-88 win over the Drake Bulldogs (5-3, 0-0 MVC) at home on Saturday at Williams Arena.
The Golden Gophers had six players score in double figures, led by Mara Braun, who had 33 points, four assists, two steals and three blocks. All five starters scored in double figures for the Maroon and Gold with Braun's 33 giving her two 30-point games in her career and falling just one point shy of her career high against Lehigh. Braun took over late, scoring 14 of her 33 points in the two overtime periods and scored 16 of the team's final 25 points in the game.
Sophomore Mallory Heyer tacked on her seventh career double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds and Hart chipped in as well with 12 points, eight rebounds and two steals. Grace Grocholski scored 12 points, had six boards and five assists while Amaya Battle had 11 points, four boards and a pair of assists.
Minnesota's defense continued its trend of forcing turnovers with Drake committing 22 while committing just 14 of their own. Those Minnesota takeaways turned into 14 points on the other end of the floor. Niamya Holloway led the way individually for the Golden Gophers with four steals, her fifth game of the season with three or more steals.
The double overtime victory for Minnesota is the second consecutive season the team has won a double overtime game. Minnesota is now 8-2 all-time in double overtime games.
How It Happened
Minnesota entered the second quarter tied at 19-19 after a tightly contested first period. Minnesota did most of its first quarter damage in the paint, scoring 12 of its 19 points close to the basket.
Drake then took a 34-26 lead before Minnesota responding by going on a 5-0 run, highlighted by a bucket from Grocholski, to narrow its deficit to 34-31. Drake responded and expanded its lead, leaving the Golden Gophers trailing 37-31 heading into halftime.
After intermission, Minnesota cut its deficit to 39-36 before going on a 7-0 run to grab a 43-39 lead with 5:34 to go in the third. Drake responded to seize a 61-52 lead entering the fourth quarter. Minnesota scored five fast break points in the quarter.
Drake kept widening its lead in the fourth, constructing a 67-57 advantage before Minnesota went on a 6-0 run, finished off by Hart's jumper, to shrink the deficit to 67-63 with 5:19 to go in the fourth. The Golden Gophers rally continued as they outscored Drake 11-7 the rest of the way to tie it at 74-74 and send the game to overtime. Minnesota took advantage of its opportunities in the post, scoring 14 of its 22 points in the paint.
Minnesota kept it close before going on a 6-0 run, finished off by Heyer's jumper, to seize a 92-86 lead with 1:51 to go in the period. The Golden Gophers held onto that lead for the rest of the game for the 94-88 win.
Game Notes
» Braun is the third player in program history to play 50 minutes in a game, and is the first to commit zero turnovers while doing so.
» Minnesota now has won 400 games at Williams Arena all-time.
» The Golden Gophers rallied from an 11-point fourth quarter deficit to force the game into overtime.
» Minnesota's 11-point comeback is the largest for the team since a 12-point comeback against Nebraska on Jan. 30, 2020.
» Every Minnesota starter scored in double figures.
» Six Minnesota players scored 10 or more points.
» Minnesota had a 42-39 edge on the boards in the win.
» Minnesota has won the turnover battle in every game this season.
» Braun posted a career high three blocks in the win.
» Minnesota cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 15 offensive boards in the game that led to 13 second chance points.
