The Gopher basketball team got off to a good start Friday night, winning their exhibition opener over NAIA Cardinal Stritch in easy fashion, 79-57.
The Wolves won the Division II NAIA National Championship last season, and lost in an exhibition last year to Notre Dame 70-56, so they had faced power conference competition before.
But Big Ten Minnesota proved too much early and often, jumping out to a 24-7 lead, and opening the lead to 31 at one point.
Austin Hollins led all Gophers with 17, while Andre Hollins and transfer Joey King scored 14, while King also racked up five first half assists and played tough defense.
The Gopher press was as advertised, flustering the overmatched Cardinal Stritch side, and forcing nine first half turnovers.
Here’s highlights of the victory.
Minnesota closes their exhibition season Monday against Concordia-St. Paul at Williams Arena.
