For the second time this season, Gophers guard Mara Braun has been named the Big Ten Conference's freshman of the week.
Gophers guard Mara Braun named Big Ten freshman of the week again
The conference recognized Braun for the second time this season Monday after she delivered big performances in games against Wake Forest and Penn State.
December 5, 2022 at 7:08PM
In two games — a home loss to Wake Forest and a come-from-behind home win over Penn State in the Big Ten opener — Braun scored 57 points. She averaged 26.5 points, 3.0 assists, 3.0 steals and 2.5 rebounds while shooting 51.6 percent in those two games.
Saturday in Minnesota's double-overtime victory over Penn State, Braun went 11-for-11 on free throws, including three with 13 seconds left in regulation that tied the game. Braun then scored seven of the Gophers' 22 overtime points, including a three-point play with 46 seconds left in the second OT that put the Gophers up 97-92 in the eventual 98-96 victory. She finished the game with 26 points.
Against Wake Forest, Braun scored 13 of her 27 points in the fourth quarter.
Gophers players have been a part of three of four freshman of the week awards in this young season. Braun has won it twice and Mallory Heyer — who had an 18-point, 11-rebound game vs. Penn State — has shared the award.
Minnesota’s bench scored 50 points, including a team-leading 18 points from graduate transfer Annika Stewart, showcasing the depth that coach Dawn Plitzuweit promised.
