MINNEAPOLIS, MN -- Five Golden Gophers scored in double figures and Minnesota defeated the LIU Sharks 92-57 at home Wednesday in Dawn Plitzuweit's coaching debut at the 'U'.
The Golden Gophers (1-0, 0-0 B1G) had five players score in double figures, led by sophomore Mara Braun, who had 25 points, six assists and three steals. Sophie Hart added 11 points and six rebounds in her Minnesota debut while redshirt freshman Niamya Holloway chipped in as well with 11 points and six rebounds off of the bench.
Led by Holloway's five offensive rebounds, Minnesota pulled down a total of 16 offensive boards that resulted in 20 second chance points.
Minnesota forced 21 LIU turnovers which led to 27 points on the other end of the floor. Graduate student Janay Sanders led the way individually with three steals, also making her Minnesota debut.
How It Happened
Minnesota started out the scoring by going on an 11-0 run, culminating in a bucket from Braun, to take an early lead with 7:46 left in the first quarter. The Golden Gophers then added 14 points to that lead by the end of the period and entered the quarter break with a 34-9 advantage. Minnesota relied on its three-point shooting in the period, knocking down seven shots to account for 21 of its 34 points.
Minnesota built that first quarter lead to 40-13 before going on a 9-0 run starting at the 5:53 mark in the second period, highlighted by a three from Ajok Madol, to increase its lead to 49-13. The Sharks cut into that lead, but the Golden Gophers still enjoyed a 55-21 advantage heading into halftime. Minnesota was strong from deep in the period, knocking down three three-point shots to account for nine of its 21 points.
Minnesota continued to preserve its halftime lead before going on a 7-0 run, punctuated by a basket from Ayianna Johnson, to expand its lead further to 62-27 with 4:33 to go in the third. The lead at the end of 30 minutes for the Maroon and Gold was 68-44.
Minnesota kept widening that lead in the final quarter, expanding it to 83-57 before going on a 9-0 run, finished off by Holloway's jumper, to grow the lead to 92-57 at the final buzzer. Minnesota took advantage of its opportunities in the post in the fourth, scoring 14 of its 24 points in the paint.
Game Notes
» Coach Plitzuweit's 35-point win is the most in a coaching debut at Minnesota.
» Niamya Holloway played her first game in 607 days, her first minutes in an official game since her senior year of high school.
» The Golden Gophers never trailed after taking a 34-9 first quarter lead, scoring the most first quarter points in school history.
» Braun has made at least one three in 13 straight games dating back to last season.
» In two season openers Mara Braun has averaged 23 points per game (21 points in 2022-23 opener and 25 points in 2023-24 opener).
» Minnesota had a 45-29 edge on the boards in the win.
» Sophie Hart scored 11 points in her first college game in 352 days.
» Braun led the team with six assists and she tied her career high in made threes with 5.
