Mara Braun, Amaya Battle hit all the right notes in Gophers' 96-64 win vs. Grambling State

There was a 70-second, third-quarter stretch Wednesday at Williams Arena, in front of a phalanx of Field Trip Day kids, that spoke to where the Gophers women's basketball team is right now:

With 7:50 left Mara Braun created and hit a contested three-pointer. Seconds later she took a pass from Amaya Battle and hit another three. Next time down another Battle pass, another Braun three.

Soon after, most of the Gophers starters rested.

Minnesota (10-1) beat Grambling State 96-64. Sometimes, when a team does exactly what is expected against a lesser opponent — winning by 30-plus points, having 12 players score, enjoying a 27-4 edge on second-chance points, a 28-8 edge on points off turnovers — there isn't a lot to be learned.

But maybe not Wednesday.

The victory was a continuation of strong play by Braun and Battle that bodes well with the looming return of Big Ten Conference play.

"Yeah, pretty impressive," Gophers coach Dawn Plitzuweit said, referring to Braun, who went 8-for-10 from the field, 6-for-8 on threes (a career high in makes) and scored 26 points in 24½ minutes. "It's not like she's getting wide-open shots. They're contested. She's doing a good job of making herself a ready shooter."

"Turnovers because I know that's been a problem," Battle said. "Then I get to assists."

To be fair, Braun and Battle weren't the only two stars of Wednesday's win. Mallory Heyer (10 points) was one rebound away from a double-double. Grace Grocholski hit three of five threes and scored 12. Maggie Czinano had 10 points off the bench, and Nia Holloway added nine points, seven rebounds and three steals in less than 19 minutes.

But, with expectations ramping up for the Gophers women, how the top scorer and starting point guard play is crucial. And the trend here is up.

Since going 3-for-12 in a victory over Norfolk State on Nov. 29 , Braun is 35-for-66 overall and 19-for-32 on threes while averaging 26.3 points in four December games.

"It's working with Aaron," Braun said, referring to assistant coach Aaron Horn. "Working on contested threes, step-backs, sidesteps, 'cause I'm not getting a lot of open threes in games. Just playing with a lot of confidence right now. It feels good."

Battle had nearly as many turnovers as assists last year. This year she's at nearly a 2-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio. In the past five games she has averaged 11.0 points, 5.4 assists, 3.0 turnovers and 2.2 steals. Plitzuweit credits Battle's more aggressive play, which is opening opportunities for her to score and even more for teammates.

"She can really see kids all over the floor," Plitzuweit said.

It's experience. Battle has learned what, in her words, will and won't fly in college games.

The Gophers were pretty good on offense from start to finish Wednesday. Defensively, after allowing the aggressive Tigers (3-5) to shoot better than 60% in the first half, the Gophers held Grambling to 9-for-32 shooting in the second.

Braun and Battle did their damage in the first two-plus quarters, then watched from the bench. Those two, along with Heyer and Holloway, are friends and, for the second season, roommates. Talking about how well they know each other, the pair has jokingly referred to it being like an old married couple.

"She's a point guard's dream," Battle said. "We have this chemistry, and you can see it on the court. I just know her spots. I know where to find her. It's like a 'Spidey sense.' I just sense when she's coming."