Minnesota has been tested early in nonconference play, and the Gophers passed a test Tuesday against Wake Forest. Richard Pitino's team took down the Demon Deacons, 84-69, in Winston-Salem on Tuesday as part of the ACC/Big Ten Challenge.
The Gophers saw an early lead dwindle to just two points at halftime, but Minnesota was able to run away with things in the second half thanks to a season-high 27 points from senior guard Andre Hollins. Tuesday's victory for the Gophers came four days after beating Georgia to close out the NIT Season Tip-Off. Minnesota improved to 5-2 with the victory.
1 big moment: Given Minnesota won by 15, there wasn't really one big play that sealed the victory for the Gophers. But there was a run early in the second half that gave Minnesota a big lead it wouldn't relinquish. After Wake Forest cut the lead to just two points at halftime, the Gophers answered early in the second half.
The big run was fueled by four 3-pointers -- two each from Joey King and Andre Hollins. The latter hit a pair of threes to put Minnesota up 40-33. Minutes later, King connected twice from downtown, the second of which gave the Gophers a 14-point lead. Though Minnesota had squandered big leads earlier this year, that early second-half run seemed to give the Gophers confidence as they never let their foot off the gas.
2 top performers: It was King early and Hollins late for the Gophers. Some hot shooting from King in the first half helped Minnesota build a 32-30 halftime lead. He followed up his 15-point effort against Georgia by scoring in double-figures again, dropping 14 on Wake Forest. He had eight early points, including a pair of 3-pointers, as Minnesota jumped out to a 22-16 lead. King hit two more threes in the second half to help the Gophers extend their lead after halftime.
While King was doing the damage in the first half, it was Hollins' turn in the second half. The senior guard drained five 3-pointers after halftime -- and a career-high seven total 3-pointers made -- en route to his team-high 27 points.
3 key stats: Free throws could have been the difference in the game, but Wake Forest struggled mightily from the line. The Gophers attempted just 14 free throws and made 12. Meanwhile, the Demon Deacons were a mere 18 for 31 from the free-throw line.
Rebounding has been an issue early in the year for Minnesota, but not Tuesday. The Gophers outrebounded Wake Forest 38-31, including 10 offensive rebounds. Mo Walker and Hollins each had seven rebounds for Minnesota.
The Gophers showed they can win a game despite being sloppy with the basketball. Minnesota committed more turnovers (20) than Wake Forest (18), but the Gophers were able to overcome it.
Seen: Playing short-handed without guard Daquein McNeil, Minnesota didn't go deep into its bench until it was up big late. Freshman forward Josh Martin entered the game late, and forward Bakary Konate did not play at all. That meant extended minutes for true freshman Nate Mason, who struggled from the floor (2 for 9).
Including the Gophers' win, the Big Ten is now 4-0 in the ACC/Big Ten challenge. It's the fourth straight year Minnesota has won its game in the challenge.
Next: After playing three straight games on the road -- two in New York for the NIT Season Tip-Off, and Tuesday's game in Winston-Salem -- Minnesota finally returns to Williams Arena for an extended stretch of home games. The Gophers' next six games will all be played in Minneapolis. Minnesota resumes action Friday with a game against Western Carolina. After that, North Dakota and Southern come to town between now and Dec. 10.
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