.@GopherMBB close out the non-conference with a dominating win over UNCW. #RaiseTheBarn pic.twitter.com/Lf3T2NJx3n
— Minnesota Golden Gophers (@GopherSports) December 27, 2014
The Gopher men’s basketball team had another slow start but finished strong to defeat North Carolina-Wilmington Saturday afternoon 108-82 at Williams Arena, the Associated Press reports.
Carlos Williams led the way for Minnesota, scoring a career-high 24 points including all seven of his free throws. Nate Mason had 18 points, Mo Walker added 17 and DeAndre Mathieu 13 with four steals and a career-best 11 assists. Charles Buggs scored 13 points, including three 3-pointers, according to the Associated Press.
Pitino said Carlos Morris has been a lot more emotionally invested and vocal in the last couple practices. Made a difference today. #Gophers
— Marcus R. Fuller (@Marcus_R_Fuller) December 27, 2014
Minnesota (11-2) was behind by as many as 9 points, 29-20, in the first half, but went on a 34-6 run and took a 54-38 lead at halftime, the Associated Press reports.
The #Gophers scored 100 points for the second time this year. First time they've done that since the 1996-97 Final Four season (three times)
— Marcus R. Fuller (@Marcus_R_Fuller) December 27, 2014
The Seahawks (5-5) started out hot, shooting more than 70 percent from the field in the first few minutes of the game, according to the Star Tribune. They also out-rebounded the Gophers 21-11 in the first half. But they committed 20 turnovers in the game, compared to just eight for the Gophers.
Minnesota got hot midway through the first half and shot nearly 60 percent from the floor for the game to take control and win going away, according to GopherSports.com.
Freddie Jackson led UNCW with 21 points. Craig Ponder and Addison Spruill each scored 12.
The two head coaches – UNCW’s Kevin Keatts and Minnesota’s Richard Pitino – were assistants together at Louisville during the 2011-12 season.
The Gophers open Big Ten play next week with three challenging games: On the road against Purdue on Wednesday afternoon and at Maryland on Saturday; and at home against Ohio State on Jan. 6.
