The Minnesota Golden Gophers women's basketball program put together a strong third quarter that ultimately proved to be the difference in a 74-52 victory over the Vermont Catamounts on Friday night at Williams Arena.

Gophers guard Mara Braun had eight steals in the game, the first time since Carol Ann Shudlick did the same for Minnesota against Michigan State in 1994.

Braun tied teammate Amaya Battle for a team-high 21 points as Minnesota earned its second win of the young season. Both players shot 8-for-14 from the field each and Amaya shot 3-for-5 from deep while Braun was 3-for-6.

The loss puts Vermont at 1-1.

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The Gophers only led 29-28 at halftime as both teams struggled in the second quarter, scoring 12 points to Vermont's 11. Minnesota closed out the first half on a 12-2 run. The Gophers then outscored the Catamounts 45-24 in the second half and 29-13 in the third quarter alone.

Just like in the first game, the Gophers' defense led the way, limiting Vermont to 41.3% shooting from the field and 33.3% from the three-point line (4-for-12). Meanwhile, Minnesota shot 47.54% from the field and 36.4% from three (8-for-22).

Annika Stewart followed up her 18-point performance in the season opener with 11 points on Friday night.

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The Catamounts hung around towards the end of the third quarter, down by eight, until Battle hit her third three-pointer to put the Gophers up 11 with just under two minutes remaining in the third.

Battle and Braun proved to be too much for Vermont in the second half, combining for 19 points and hitting four combined three-pointers. Minnesota led by as much as 58-41 before growing the lead further.

The Gophers will next take on UMass Lowell at Williams Arena on Tuesday. The game with tip off at 7 p.m. CT and can be seen on BTN+.