In a close game, the Minnesota Golden Gophers basketball team defeated Butler 73-72 in the NIT first round. Dawson Garcia scored 25 points, and Elijah Hawkins contributed 11 points and 14 assists. The Gophers will face the winner of Indiana St and SMU next.
FINAL: Indiana St 76, #Gophers 64. Season ends 19-15 in NIT second round. Payne 16 pts 8 rebs lead four players in double figures
#Gophers not giving much effort down the stretch here seemingly out of gas. Indiana St just cruising 76-63 with less than a minute left.
#Gophers with 11-0 run after Christie's jumper to cut it to a three-point game. Indiana St finally answers for 54-49 lead.
#Gophers gave up four-point play to trail 14 points, but they aren't giving up. They get a three and steal from Mitchell. Garcia fouled in transition looking for his first points today going to FT after timeout. INST 52-43
Payne was ticked off he had that turnover and slammed the ball on the other end with authority. Problem is #Gophers just can't stop Sycamores who are maybe best passing team they've played all season. Another three-point play off backdoor cut 44-30.
Good sign Hawkins is back in the game. Bad sign #Gophers turn the ball over for 10th time right away in the second half. Indiana S takes advantage 41-28.
HALFTIME: Indiana St 38, #Gophers 28. Hawkins 7 pts 1 asst Payne 7 pts 5 rebs Garcia 0 pts 3 fls 3 TOs Team 39% FG 2-9 3-pt FGs 4-10 FTs 9 TOs 20-12 reb edge. INST: Conwell 14 pts Team 54% FGs 5-13 3-pt FGs Fast brk 11-0
Really solid work on the boards by #Gophers with Fox and Payne crashing for three straight offensive rebounds (8 total as a team). But they went 1-for-6 on FTS being fouled.
Hawkins is back on the bench now. #Gophers' Fox really being aggressive attacking the rim drew two fouls. Missed all FTs though. Still 36-27 deficit.
#Gophers cut it to eight-point deficit with 12-2 run. https://t.co/s4XCSVdDa8
Hawkins leaves the floor into the training room with what appears to be hip injury. #Gophers have Christie running point guard now. Payne layup 35-25 deficit.
Hawkins looked like he was hurting after banging hip. But he nails a three-pointer. #Gophers PG knows they need him out there.
It's now 23-12 #Sycamores. Garcia's out with three fouls and no points. #Gophers need to find offense from somewhere else. Hawkins, Mitchell and Christie are 3-for-12 FGs https://t.co/8hT1rbROHH
Tough sequence there with Garcia turnover followed by a foul and technical. That's three fouls with 9 mins left in first half. Crowd letting him hear it. #Gophers down 18-10.
Payne goaltend and comes down hard after the block. He comes out of the game. #Gophers down 18-8.
#Gophers open 3-for-8 shooting from the field but they're ahead on rebounding edge with Garcia and Payne five combined boards so far.
Two young standouts for #Gophers Cam Christie and Pharrel Payne get their scoring started. Payne second basket with a dunk tied but Indiana St answers 9-6.
#ICYMI: #Gophers men's basketball set to face Indiana State on Sunday in #NIT second round @StribSports @GopherMBB @NITMBB https://t.co/a17AUjhCRM
It's on: Day 2 of the state boys basketball tournament is starting, with the opening game featuring incoming #Gophers first-year guard Isaac Asuma of @CherryBoysHoops. Tap here for updates, how to watch and more: https://t.co/5ZkwyIzGwJ #mshss
#Gophers advanced to play Saturday at today's winner of Indiana St and SMU. https://t.co/5rRtDdYat1
#Gophers men's basketball edges Butler 73-72 in the #NIT first round behind Garcia's 25 points and Hawkins' 15 assists and clutch free throws: "We want to do our best to keep playing and keep winning," Ben Johnson said. @StribSports @GopherMBB @NITMBB https://t.co/rKQE2apKFO
Minnesota Golden Gophers (+4.5) beat Butler 73-72 in NIT and improve to 25-8 ATS this season 💵✅
FINAL: #Gophers 73, #Butler 72. Garcia 25 points. Hawkins 11 pts 14 assts. MN 19-14 plays winner of Wednesday's game between top-seed Indiana St and SMU.
Butler can't hit after Minnesota took the lead on free throws, Gophers win https://t.co/IbtXVQrGMf
What a game 70-69 #Gophers cut into Butler's lead after a basket from Fox with under a minute left. Hawkins 14 assists!
#Gophers were down seven points, but Mitchell and Christie nailed back-to-back three-pointers. Butler answered to maintain 53-50 lead.
Officials missed ball out of bounds on Butler. Garcia picks up third foul. Telfort hits two free throws. Then comes back with another basket. Momentum swing potentially #Gophers down 51-44
Garcia is trying to keep the #Gophers close to open the second half. He's got 14 points. But Butler lead 45-44.
Nice play out of the timeout with #Gophers ending first half with Hawkins alley-oop to Payne for the dunk. Butler leads 38-36 at halftime. Payne with 10 pts 4-7 FGs.
#Gophers were strong defensively early creating six turnovers, but they haven't been able to slow down Butler since. Telfort 16 pts. #Bulldogs up 38-34 shooting 54% from the field.
Got to see some Payne vs. Kapke already in the first half #Gophers #Bulldogs https://t.co/IAxqKJl4fP
Butler with 7-0 run to tie the game after a three-pointer after a timeout. #Gophers really can't let Hinkle crowed get involved. Mitchell answers with a three 26-23.
Fox had another layup to cap an 11-0 #Gophers run before Butler finally responded https://t.co/QhQPdOVC2G
Defense had been lacking in the last few games for #Gophers, but they turned that around so far tonight. Hawkins with four assists and three steals. Garcia's layup off a Butler turnover 9-0 run. MN 17-11.
#Gophers 7-0 run after trailing for first time in the game to lead 15-11 after Fox's layup.
Payne was banged up early, but the #Gophers continued to get him the ball once he returned. Second basket for the 6-9 sophomore for 8-6 lead at Butler at just under 16 mins. Hawkins with couple assists.
Good sign with Payne back into the game. Cam Christie nails a three-pointer. Keeps #Gophers ahead 6-4.
#Gophers first basket comes from Pharrel Payne inside plus the foul
#Gophers same starting lineup tonight at Butler: Elijah Hawkins, Mike Mitchell Jr., Cam Christie, Dawson Garcia and Pharrel Payne.