Cade Tyson scored seven of his team-high 24 points in the final 1:19 as Minnesota finished strong for an 84-78 win over Northwestern in a Big Ten matchup Saturday in Evanston, Ill.
Isaac Asuma added 18 points and nine rebounds for Minnesota (9-5, 2-1), which won its fourth in a row. Langston Reynolds contributed 13 points and a career-high 13 assists while Grayson Grove scored 12 points off the bench while making all six of his shot attempts.
Nick Martinelli scored 26 points on 11-for-19 shooting to lead Northwestern (8-6, 0-3). Jayden Reid scored 19 points to go along with seven assists and Arrinten Page also scored 19.
Minnesota enjoyed a 33-20 advantage in rebounds.
Northwestern led 67-60 with 4:39 to go when Page made a pair of free throws, but the Wildcats could not hold on to their advantage.
The Golden Gophers responded with an 8-0 run to grab the lead. Grove made a dunk to start the run, then Tyson ran the floor for a layup and a free throw and Jaylen Crocker-Johnson hit a 3-pointer. The final basket put Minnesota ahead 68-67 with 3:25 remaining, the Gophers’ first lead since the 16:45 mark.
Reid made two free throws to regain a 69-68 edge with 3:12 to go, but that proved to be the Wildcats’ final lead.
Reynolds put Minnesota back on top 70-69 when he made two free throws with 3:04 remaining. Grove followed with a dunk to make it 72-69 with 2:03 to go.
A Northwestern timeout could not stop the Golden Gophers’ momentum. Martinelli made one of two free-throw attempts to cut the Wildcats’ deficit to 72-70 with 1:47 left, but Tyson pushed the lead to five when he knocked down a running 3-pointer as the shot clock expired with 1:19 remaining.
Northwestern clawed back within two points on Martinelli’s baseline jumper shot with 29 seconds left. That cut Minnesota’s advantage to 78-76.
The Golden Gophers added six free throws in the final 27 seconds to hold on for the victory.
Northwestern led much of the first half, but it was 34-34 at the break.
–Field Level Media
