But things got better thanks to two players who have started since Day 1. “They found another way, another gear, another level of toughness,’’ Gophers coach Dawn Plitzuweit said. “They’re learning, growing progressing. I thought tonight’s game, from both of them, maybe was the best game they’ve played.’’

There were other contributors, of course. Annika Stewart had her second double-figure game (11 points) to start the season. Others had moments at key times — an offensive put-back by Taylor Woodson when the Gophers struggled to score, Sophie Hart’s basket that started a 12-2 run to end the second quarter and give Minnesota a one-point halftime lead, the team defense that held Vermont to 24 points and 39% shooting in the second half.

And a warm moment when Kennedy Klick, who missed last season with a knee injury — who was cleared to play just Friday morning — scored her first college points.

But it all comes back to the Twinums.

From that point with six minutes left in the second quarter through the third, the Gophers outscored Vermont 41-15. Braun and Battle combined to score 25 of those points. In Minnesota’s 29-13 third quarter Braun had 10 points and three steals, Battle nine points and four assists.