Cade Tyson scored 27 points on 7-for-14 shooting, and Minnesota escaped with a 72-65 overtime win against Green Bay on Saturday night in Minneapolis.
Jaylen Crocker-Johnson notched a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds for Minnesota (3-1), which remained unbeaten on its home court. Isaac Asuma finished with nine points and a team-high seven assists.
Preston Ruedinger scored 15 points and dished six assists for Green Bay (1-4), which nearly pulled off a stunning upset as 26-point underdogs. Marcus Hall also finished with 15 points.
The score was tied at 63-all when Crocker-Johnson drained a 3-pointer from the top of the key with 1:35 to go. Chansey Willis Jr. assisted on the play, which put Minnesota on top 66-63.
Crocker-Johnson struck again on the Golden Gophers’ next possession. He knocked down a jump shot to make it 68-63 with 47 seconds to go, and Green Bay trailed the rest of the way.
The game nearly ended in regulation with a half-court shot by Minnesota, but officials went to a video review and determined that the shot came after the buzzer.
Green Bay trailed 61-59 after Tyson made one of two free-throw attempts with 9 seconds remaining.
Minnesota defended against a possible go-ahead 3-pointer by Green Bay, but Ruedinger found an opening to drive to the rim. He made a layup with 1 second left to even the score at 61.
Green Bay led 27-23 at the half.
The Phoenix scored the final four points of the first half to pull ahead. Hall made a pair of free throws with 56 seconds left, and CJ O’Hara made a layup with 17 seconds to go to finish the scoring.
The game marked Green Bay’s second contest in the Twin Cities this week. The Phoenix played nearby St. Thomas (Minnesota) on Thursday night, when they lost by 19 points.
–Field Level Media
