Cade Tyson put on a show in Minneapolis Sunday afternoon, delivering the kind of performance that makes you sit up and take notice. The junior guard dropped a career-high 38 points to lead Minnesota past Texas Southern, 89-53, in a dominant wire-to-wire win that showcased both Tyson’s scoring prowess and the Gophers’ growing offensive rhythm.
Tyson, a transfer who previously spent time at North Carolina and Belmont, looked every bit the go-to scorer Minnesota hoped he’d become. He was locked in from the opening tip, scoring 23 of his 38 in the first half alone.
His shot was pure, his confidence was high, and his efficiency was off the charts - 11-of-19 from the field, 8-of-12 from beyond the arc, and 8-of-11 at the line. He also pulled down 11 rebounds, rounding out a double-double that was as complete as it was impressive.
And it wasn’t just the volume - it was the timing. Tyson’s early barrage helped Minnesota establish control, and his continued scoring outbursts kept Texas Southern from ever sniffing a comeback. Every time the Tigers tried to gather momentum, Tyson had an answer - usually from deep.
But this wasn’t a one-man effort. Jaylen Crocker-Johnson chipped in 14 points, Isaac Asuma added 13, and Bobby Durkin poured in 12 more. Freshman Langston Reynolds didn’t score, but he ran the show with poise, dishing out 10 assists and keeping the Gophers’ offense humming.
Minnesota came out firing, shooting 52% in the first half and knocking down nine threes before the break. After building a 20-13 lead midway through the first, the Gophers ripped off an 11-0 run that opened the floodgates. By halftime, the lead had ballooned to 45-25, and they never looked back.
The second half was more of the same. Minnesota pushed the lead to 29 early, and the final seven minutes turned into a highlight reel.
Tyson drilled his seventh triple, Crocker-Johnson converted a three-point play, and Asuma buried a corner three to cap a 77-42 surge. By the time the final buzzer sounded, the Gophers had stretched the lead to 38 - their largest of the night.
For Texas Southern, it was another tough outing in what’s been a challenging start to the season. Alex Anderson led the Tigers with 11 points, and Bryce Roberts added 10, but the offense never found its footing against a locked-in Minnesota defense.
Now sitting at 1-7, Texas Southern will look to regroup before heading to N.C. State on Wednesday.
As for Minnesota, this was more than just a win - it was a statement. The Gophers are now 6-5 and showing signs of cohesion and confidence. And if Cade Tyson continues to play at this level, Minnesota’s ceiling just got a whole lot higher.