Trevor Mbakwe had 11 points, 11 rebounds and two blocks for Minnesota in a 78-72 exhibition victory Monday night over Division II Winona State.
The Warriors, who were national champions in 2006 and 2008 and ranked ninth in the preseason coaches' poll, beat the Gophers here in an exhibition four years ago and came close again despite trailing by 18 points after halftime.
Ex-Iowa guard Anthony Tucker, a Twin Cities native and one of four former Division I players on the Warriors' roster, scored 24 points. His 3-pointer with just under a minute left brought Winona State within 73-68. Jon Walburg added 22 points for Winona State.
Mbakwe gives the Gophers much-needed strength and athleticism in the paint, but his free throw shooting needs work as he went 5 for 12.
Rodney Williams gave the a crowd a couple of thrills with powerful dunks and finished with 12 points for the Gophers.
