A slow start didn’t stop the Gophers from cruising to a 80-66 win over Santa Clara in the Vancouver Showcase on Tuesday night.
Minnesota struggled to make shots in the first 15 minutes of the first half, but true freshman Gabe Kalscheur’s hot hand helped the Gophers turn it on late and carry a 33-29 lead into the half.
Kalscheur, who hit five 3-pointers in a win over Utah last week, knocked down six triples in the first half and finished the game with a career-high 25 points, 21 of them coming on a career-best seven 3s.
Meanwhile, Jordan Murphy continues to dominate the paint for Minnesota. The senior power forward finished with 15 points and 17 rebounds. He moved from third to first all time on the Gophers’ rebounding list, passing legends Mychal Thompson and Kevin McHale.
“It’s a really big accomplishment, a really big honor,” Murphy told the Star Tribune. “It’s definitely something I’m really proud of. It’s something a look forward to blowing out of the water. There’s plenty more rebounds to get out there this season.”
Jordan Murphy…The BEST Big Man in Gopher histry
— Mychal Thompson (@champagnennuts) November 13, 2018
The Gophers (4-0) play again today at 5:30 p.m .against Washington in the final game of the Vancouver Showcase. The Huskies (4-1) only loss this season was to 8th-ranked Auburn.
