MINNEAPOLIS – Minnesota forward Cam Tyson scored a game-high 28 points to lead the Gophers to an 86-60 exhibition victory over North Dakota state friday night at Williams Arena.Tyson’s performance fueled a dominant second half for Minnesota,securing a cozy win ahead of the regular season.
the Gophers built an early 13-9 lead, fueled by three-pointers from bobby Durkin and Jamison Crocker-Johnson. NDSU responded wiht a 10-3 run to take a 19-16 lead midway through the frist half. Minnesota answered with a 13-0 run, capped by a Tyson three-pointer, to regain a 31-23 advantage. Minnesota closed the first half on a 4-0 run, taking a 35-26 lead into the break. Tyson led all scorers with 12 first-half points.
Minnesota extended its lead in the second half, going up 49-36 after an and-one play by Tyson. A subsequent 11-0 run, highlighted by three three-pointers from Tyson, pushed the Gophers’ lead to 63-40. Another strong run, 14-5, extended the advantage to 77-49 with just over three minutes remaining.
tyson finished the game shooting 9-of-16 from the field, including 6-of-9 from three-point range. He played 18 minutes. Chansey Willis Jr. contributed seven points and five assists, while Durkin added six points and five rebounds. Minnesota shot 28-of-58 (.483) from the field, 11-of-28 (.393) from three-point range, and 13-of-22 (.591) from the free throw line.
Trevian Carson led NDSU with 14 points, and Markhi Strickland added nine points and five rebounds. The Bison shot 19-of-55 (.345) from the field, 5-of-24 (.208) from long range,and 11-of-20 (.550) from the free throw line.
Minnesota will host North Dakota in another exhibition game on Saturday, Oct. 25, at 2:00 p.m.before opening the regular season against Gardner-Webb on Monday, Nov. 3, at 7:00 p.m.
