Mara Braun returns and Gophers cruise into WNIT Super 16

Mara Braun was back on the court for the Minnesota women's basketball team for the first time in nearly two months and she had 12 points to help the Gophers roll over Pacific 77-62 in the second round of the WNIT Tuesday night in Minneapolis. 

Braun was one of seven Gophers to score at least eight points in the blowout win, which sets the stage for a Super 16 showdown with North Dakota State. That game will be played at 7 p.m. CT Friday at Williams Arena. 

The Gophers crushed NDSU 75-53 when they played way back on Nov. 15. 

Sophie Hart, who also returned after an extended injury absence, led the Gophers with 14 points in the win over Pacific. Mallory Heyer scored 11 points and Amaya Battle filled the box score with 10 points, six rebounds, six assists and four steals. 

Minnesota was 14-5 before Braun suffered a foot injury Jan. 28 in a game at Illinois. They wound up losing that game and went on to lose nine of the next 11 without her. Do the math and the Gophers are 15-5 with Braun and 2-10 without her. 

You can see the updated WNIT bracket here.