In a thrilling display at Williams Arena, Gophers forward Bobby Durkin lit up the court with a barrage of three-pointers, sparking chants of “Bobby! Bobby!”
from the enthusiastic crowd. Durkin’s second-half heroics, including three consecutive treys, propelled the Gophers to an 80-61 victory over Rutgers.
This win was a significant boost for Minnesota (13-14, 6-10 Big Ten), marking their first consecutive victories under coach Niko Medved since early January. With four games left in the Big Ten schedule, the Gophers are keen to avoid the bottom four, which would mean an early start in the conference tournament.
Coach Medved emphasized the importance of this win, saying, “One of our first goals is to avoid Tuesday in the Big Ten Tournament. We knew this one was massive in that regard.”
Durkin’s sharpshooting extended Minnesota’s lead to 50-32 in the second half, igniting the crowd. Guard Isaac Asuma joined the party with a three-pointer, celebrating with the fans. Durkin finished with 12 points, all from beyond the arc in the second half.
Despite a shaky start, where the Gophers missed their first five shots and committed seven turnovers, they found their rhythm with a 15-of-26 performance from three-point range. Guard Langston Reynolds was pivotal, scoring four points during a crucial 9-0 run that gave Minnesota a 19-12 lead. Reynolds, a senior transfer, was a steady presence, contributing 19 points and nine assists.
Cade Tyson led all scorers with 27 points, hitting 7-of-9 from deep and grabbing 10 rebounds. Tyson was instrumental in filling the gap left by the injured Jaylen Crocker-Johnson. “Looked like he was shooting in the Pacific Ocean,” Medved remarked about Tyson’s performance, highlighting his impact on both ends of the floor.
The Scarlet Knights (11-16, 4-12) struggled offensively, starting 1-of-8 from the floor. Their leading scorer, Tariq Francis, was held to 10 points against a zone-heavy Gophers defense. “He wasn’t able to get in the paint today,” Medved noted.
Reynolds, despite five turnovers, kept the Gophers steady. His jumper following a Rutgers basket ensured the Scarlet Knights never got closer than three points again. Asuma added 11 points and six assists, including a buzzer-beating three-pointer before halftime, giving Minnesota a 36-23 lead.
MVP honors went to Tyson, whose 27 points and 10 rebounds were a career-best in Big Ten play. His ability to adapt to playing center in Crocker-Johnson’s absence was crucial.
“Definitely having to guard bigger, more physical guys,” Tyson said. “I feel like I’m adjusting well.”
A notable stat was the Gophers’ bench scoring: zero points. With injuries piling up, only freshman guard Kai Shinholster came off the bench, highlighting the team’s depth issues.
Freshman Grayson Grove stepped up in his first start at Williams Arena, contributing 11 points and eight rebounds. Medved praised Grove’s work ethic, saying, “He’s the only guy down there working and he’s just like, ‘Bring it on!’”
Next up, the Gophers face a formidable challenge on the road against top-ranked Michigan, boasting a 15-1 Big Ten record and a towering lineup. The Wolverines lead the conference in scoring, shooting, and blocking, presenting a tough test for Minnesota.