The newly-anointed No. 9 Golden Gophers basketball squad began their Big Ten season Monday with a bang by rolling over No. 18 Michigan State 76-63 at Williams Arena, the Star Tribune reports.
Andre Hollins led the Gophers with 22 points and six assists, followed by Rodney Williams with 15 points and six rebounds. Trevor Mbakwe added 11 points and 12 rebounds.
The win boosts the Gophers season record to 13-1. Earlier in the day, The Associated Press ranked the Gophers at No. 9 in its NCAA basketball rankings, marking the first time the team has cracked the top 10 in 16 years.
The Gophers led 39-38 at halftime, and led by one with three minutes left in the game before pulling away for good with a 12-0 run. The team ended the game with a 22-4 run.
The Gophers next take on Northwestern Sunday at Williams Arena.
