University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
2-0,0-0Big Ten
Vermont
1-1,0-0America East
Braun and Battle Lead Minnesota Past Vermont 74-52
11/8/2024 8:56:00 PM | Women's Basketball
The Golden Gophers are 2-0 to start the season
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. - Scoring 21 points each, Mara Braun and Amaya Battle led the Minnesota women's basketball team past the Vermont Catamounts 74-52 at home on Friday night.
The Golden Gophers (2-0, 0-0 B1G) had three players score in double figures, led by Braun, who had 21 points, four assists and eight steals. Battle tacked on 21 points and five assists while Annika Stewart chipped in as well with 11 points from the bench.
Braun's eight steals are the first from a Gopher since Carol Ann Shudlick against Michigan State (Jan. 28, 1994)
.
Taylor Woodson pulled down three offensive rebounds to pace an offense that racked up second chance opportunities for Minnesota, grabbing 10 boards and turning them into nine second chance points.
The Minnesota defense was effective at taking away the basketball in Friday's game, forcing 15 Vermont turnovers while committing nine. Those takeaways turned into 18 points on the other end of the floor. Braun's eight steals led the way individually for the Gophers.
How It Happened
After falling behind 12-10, Minnesota went on a 5-0 run with 3:51 left in the first quarter, culminating in a bucket from Stewart, to take a 15-12 lead. Vermont then responded to tie things up at 17-17 heading into the second quarter. Minnesota got a great contribution from its bench in the period, as non-starters accounted for five of its 17 total points.
Vermont then took a 28-21 lead before Minnesota responding by going on an 8-0 run, highlighted by a bucket from Stewart, to take a 29-28 lead, a score that would hold until halftime. Minnesota dominated in the paint, scoring 10 of its 12 points close to the basket.
Following intermission, Minnesota continued to expand its advantage, pushing it to 51-41 before going on a 7-0 run, punctuated by a basket from Braun, to expand its lead further to 58-41 with one second to go in the third, a score which remained until the end of the third quarter. Minnesota knocked down four three-pointers in the quarter to score 12 of its 29 total points.
Minnesota kept its lead intact before going on a 7-0 run, finished off by Tori McKinney's three, to grow the lead to 65-45 with 5:20 to go in the contest. The Gophers kept expanding the margin and coasted the rest of the way for the 74-52 win. Minnesota got a boost from its bench in the period, with non-starters scoring eight of its 16 total points.
Game Notes
» Minnesota found success from three point land, knocking down eight treys in the game.
» Minnesota never trailed in the second half on its way to victory.
» The Minnesota bench made an impact by adding 23 points to its scoring output.
» Mara Braun swiped eight steals for the Gophers in the game.
» The Minnesota defense forced 15 turnovers.
» Minnesota cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 10 offensive boards in the game.
» Mara Braun had a game-high 21 points and Amaya Battle added 21.
» Minnesota got a team-high seven rebounds from Mallory Heyer.
