The iconic beams that line the arched ceiling of the Barn must be magnetic. How else can you explain the pull that led eight Minnesota natives to stay home and commit to the Gophers? Or the older players who stayed despite a coaching change three years ago that would have enticed many to put their names in the portal?
Starters Mara Braun, Amaya Battle, Sophie Hart and Tori McKinney are all from neighboring towns, an average of just 19.3 miles away. Hart spent two years at NC State before coming home and playing the last three seasons at Minnesota. Braun and Battle were part of a recruiting class in 2022 that was put together by former coach and Minnesota legend Lindsay Whalen. When she was fired at the end of their freshman seasons, Braun and Battle stayed, renewing their commitments to the home team.
It was nothing short of a grind. They went 11-19 in their debut seasons, then 16-15 during coach Dawn Plitzuweit’s first year, which ended with an NIT championship appearance. Last season was a 20-11 campaign and a WBIT title.
All that to get to this year. To this moment. To the program’s first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2018. But for Battle and Braun, the two players that stuck it out the most, and the teammates that trickled in afterwards, getting there wasn’t enough.
The real moment came with 3.5 seconds left in a round of 32 matchup with No. 5 seed Ole Miss. Battle caught the ball on an inbounds play, took two dribbles on the baseline, then pulled up for a contested fadeaway jumper.
As the buzzer sounded, the ball fell through the hoop, and Battle – who had ended up with her butt firmly planted on the ground – balled her hands into fists and threw them into the air. The bench swarmed her. Minnesota was going back to the Sweet Sixteen for the first time since 2005.
“I’m just super proud that we all stuck to it, because look at what happened,” Battle said. “I think it just goes to show if you really want to do something, find people who want to do it with you and stick to it and you can do it.”
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Frese gave the Terrapins guard some tough love during a second-round loss to North Carolina. Okananwa said it was just what she needed.
Braun and Battle, both four-year players, were the driving forces behind the win for No. 4 seed Minnesota. Battle finished with 14 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists and the game-winner. Braun had a team-high 17 points on 4-of-5 shooting from the three-point line. Braun also tied the game at 61-61 with 1:17 left in the fourth quarter on a step-back from long range. Then, Hart scored in the post to give her team a lead before Ole Miss’ Latasha Lattimore tied it once more with a hard drive to the hoop.
The victory took a heroic late-game effort from the Gophers.
Down 57-50 with 5:44 remaining, senior guard Brylee Glenn drilled a three-pointer to ignite a 15-6 run by Minnesota to end the game. But even though the Gophers were down until Braun’s game-tying three, Plitzuweit noticed something during a deadball: Her team was smiling.
“It was just the joy that they’re playing with,” she said. “I felt like they exuded confidence. That was also our message today. You have to love this because this is what you want to play in.”
The Gophers have been loving this game, this team, and these fans long before they were playing in March. So, in front of a packed crowd at the Barn, Sunday’s win felt like a reward for all of their dedication. “I love it. It’s something I’m always going to remember,” said Braun, who was injured in previous postseasons. “These past two years, I was on the sideline. It’s what I dreamt of doing. You just have to stay focused, stay resilient, and know that your time is coming.”
Four years, one NCAA Tournament, one Sweet Sixteen, and if the Gophers get their way, a few more games with “Minnesota” across their chests.
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