In a thrilling showdown at Williams Arena, Bobby Durkin was the star of the night, leading the Gophers to a 78-73 victory over UCLA. Durkin was on fire from beyond the arc, hitting seven three-pointers and racking up 23 points. His timely shooting was crucial in holding off a formidable Bruins squad.
The Gophers, now 14-15 overall and 7-11 in the Big Ten, are gaining momentum with their third win in four games. Coach Niko Medved's squad is making strides toward bypassing the first round of the Big Ten tournament, a key goal for the season.
Durkin’s clutch free throws with just 13 seconds left sealed the deal, giving Minnesota a two-possession lead in what was a back-and-forth battle. Seniors Langston Reynolds and Cade Tyson each contributed 21 points, showcasing the depth of talent on this team.
UCLA’s Tyler Bilodeau was unstoppable at times, scoring 10 consecutive points in the second half and finishing with a game-high 32. However, he missed a crucial shot that could have tied the game with a minute remaining.
This was UCLA’s first trip to Williams Arena as part of the Big Ten and only their second visit overall since 1969. Despite their strong season at 19-10 and 11-7 in the conference, the Bruins couldn’t overcome the Gophers, who have now beaten UCLA four times in a row, including past NCAA tournament victories.
A standout stat from the game was that only four Gophers-Durkin, Reynolds, Tyson, and Asuma-found the scoreboard. Yet, this injury-hit squad showed incredible chemistry, dishing out 24 assists on 29 field goals. Even Grayson Grove, who didn’t score, contributed significantly with seven assists, six rebounds, and three steals.
Looking ahead, the Gophers are set to face Indiana on March 4. They’ll be hoping to replicate their earlier success against the Hoosiers, whom they defeated when Indiana was ranked No. 22 back in December. With their current form, the Gophers are poised to make it another memorable encounter.