Northwestern loses to Minnesota 84-78
Cade Tyson scored 24 points and Minnesota pulled away late for an 84-78 victory over Northwestern on Saturday at Welsh-Ryan Arena in Evanston.
Isaac Asuma scored a season-high 18 points, Langston Reynolds had 13 points and 13 assists and the Golden Gophers (9-5, 2-1 Big Ten) broke a 34-all tie at halftime by scoring 50 points in the second half.
Northwestern took its largest lead early in the second half, going up 53-46 after a Nick Martinelli strike with 14 minutes remaining. The Wildcats went up another seven points after two free throws by Arrinten Page with 4:39 left, but the Gophers used an 8-0 run to take a 68-67 lead with 3:25 left.
The teams traded the lead twice before Tyson scored a 3-pointer with 1:19 left to extend Minnesota’s advantage to five. The Wildcats didn’t get closer than three points the rest of the game.
Minnesota sealed the victory at the free throw line, going 10 of 12 in the final 40 seconds. Tyson finished 11 of 12 from the line, and Asuma and Bobby Durkin combined to make four free throws in the final seconds.
Grayson Grove, who entered the game averaging 2.3 points, scored 12 off the bench and had three dunks in the second half.
Martinelli led Northwestern (8-6, 0-3 Big Ten) with 26 points. Jayden Reid scored 19 and Page added 19 off the bench. The Wildcats were outscored 24-11 in the final 4:23.
To be continued
- North-West: Travels to No. 9 Michigan State on Thursday.
- Minnesota: Hosts No. 25 Iowa on Tuesday.
