The Minnesota men’s basketball team finally broke through and earned its first Big Ten win of the season with Dawson Garcia’s game-winning three-pointer in overtime. The 6-11 senior scored a career-high 27 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, including two free throws that tied the score before Garcia’s winning shot.
Garcia hit the buzzer-beater from a few steps inside the halfcourt line to give the Gophers an 84-81 victory over No. 20 Michigan in front of a crowd of 8,877 at Williams Arena. The win marked the team’s first ranked victory under coach Ben Johnson and its first Big Ten win this season.
Lu’Cye Patterson added 22 points, while Mike Mitchell contributed 20 points to the Gophers’ total. Despite trailing for most of the game, the Gophers never trailed in overtime, with Garcia calling for the ball as Patterson dribbled down the court on the final possession.
Garcia’s clutch performance came after a tough loss at Maryland on Monday. “It was a big-time team accomplishment,” he said about the win. Coach Ben Johnson also expressed his pride in his players’ effort, saying, “Our guys have this togetherness. I’ve been telling people we’re getting better, and nobody probably believes me.”
The Gophers’ win snapped a 18-game losing streak against ranked opponents and marked their first victory over Michigan in nearly four years. The team’s next challenge will be facing the Wolverines again in their upcoming matchup.
Source: https://www.startribune.com/dawson-garcias-long-three-pointer-gives-gophers-mens-basketball-first-big-ten-win-of-the-season/601207115