Dawson Garcia emerged from a two-game slump with a game-high 23 points Sunday as Minnesota cruised to a 79-62 nonconference win over Bethune-Cookman in Minneapolis.
After making only 4 of 19 shots in close losses to Wichita State and Wake Forest at the ESPN Events Invitational earlier this week, Garcia looked more like himself. He sank 8 of 15 shots while adding five rebounds and four assists for the Golden Gophers (6-3).
Brennan Rigsby added 14 points for Minnesota, which hit 47.5 percent from the field and connected on 11 of 23 3-pointers. The Golden Gophers dominated the glass 39-24 and committed just 10 turnovers.
Brayon Freeman tallied 21 points and Trey Thomas scored 18 for the Wildcats (2-6), but they didn’t get enough help. Just four other players scored as Bethune-Cookman struggled to make shots, needing a late surge to can 46.2 percent from the field.
However, it trailed by just 38-34 with 17:40 left in the game after Thomas drained a long 3-pointer to cap an 8-0 run that started the second half. But Garcia answered with a 3-pointer and a layup that fueled a 10-0 Gophers run. The margin never dipped below 11 for the game’s remainder.
Minnesota made a concerted effort to involve the 6-foot-11 Garcia, who averages 18.6 ppg and 7.3 rebounds, right away against an opponent with no one taller than 6-foot-9. Garcia responded with eight points in the first 7:15 as the Gophers established a 14-9 advantage.
The margin reached 17 with 5:07 left in the half as Femi Odukale drilled a corner 3-pointer. At that point, Bethune-Cookman found some traction offensively behind Freeman, who scored eight straight Wildcats points and then fed Daniel Rouzan for a layup.
Thomas added a short jumper and a free throw in the final minute, helping the Wildcats close within 38-26 at halftime.
Minnesota enjoyed a 12-0 advantage in bench scoring at the break and ended the game with a 26-6 cushion.
–Field Level Media
