Head coach for Gophers women’s basketball Dawn Plitzuweit announced Friday that leading scorer Mara Braun broke her right foot.

Braun missed the team’s last game on Wednesday against Eastern Illinois University. She was on the bench wearing a medical boot. At the time, her condition was unknown and there was no outlook on when she would return.

Plitzuweit confirmed Braun’s injury Friday but still gave no timeline for her return. She added the chances of her breaking the same bone as last year were slim.

“Right now she is in the process of meeting with the top foot specialists and assessing what the best plan of action is moving forward,” Plitzuweit said.

The Gophers are 21-5 with Braun in the starting lineup and 4-10 without her since the start of the 2023-2024 season.

During Braun’s absence, different players will look to step up as scorers. Amaya Battle’s game grew last season as she developed her 3-point shot and had a career-scoring game (32 points) against Rutgers in round one of the Big Ten tournament.

“We learned a lot from last year so we know what to expect,” Battle said. “Anytime you have to step into a new opportunity that is different from what you have done, that gives you an opportunity to grow.”  

Nebraska transfer Annika Stewart also contributed to the team’s scoring early on this season as she posted 80 points through six games and led the team in scoring twice this season and tied Michigan transfer Taylor Woodson once.

Teammates Mallory Heyer and Battle said the team got Braun a gift basket. It included some of her favorite snacks and lip products as well as a teddy bear and a bottle of Tylenol.

The Gophers’ next match is Sunday against the Montana Grizzlies which boasts a 3-2 overall record.