In game of runs, Minnesota outlasts Northwestern in OT

Field Level Media|published: Sat 3rd February, 16:57 2024

Feb 3, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers forward Dawson Garcia (3) works around Northwestern Wildcats forward Nick Martinelli (2) during the first half at Williams Arena. credits: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports

Dawson Garcia scored 20 points, and Minnesota capped a late comeback with a 75-66 overtime win against Northwestern in a Big Ten Conference matchup on Saturday afternoon in Minneapolis.

Cam Christie added 15 points on 6-for-12 shooting for Minnesota (14-7, 5-5), which won its second game in a row. Pharrel Payne finished with 14 points and a team-high nine rebounds, and Elijah Hawkins had 13 points and 10 assists before he fouled out.

Boo Buie scored 20 points to lead Northwestern (15-7, 6-5), which lost its second straight game. Ryan Langborg scored 16 points, and Brooks Barnhizer finished with 11 points and 10 boards.

The score was tied at 61-61 at the end of regulation time, and Minnesota outscored Northwestern 14-5 in the extra session.

The Golden Gophers trailed 54-46 with 5:55 remaining in regulation. Langborg hit a 3-pointer to give the Wildcats an eight-point lead as they looked for their first road win in almost a month.

Langborg's basket proved to be the final field goal of the second half for Northwestern, which made seven free throws in the final 5:55. Minnesota finished on a 15-7 run to force overtime.

The Golden Gophers started overtime on a 10-2 run to pull ahead 71-63. Garcia scored eight points during the run by making a 3-pointer and five free throws.

The teams were tied 27-27 at the half.

Northwestern opened with a 14-8 lead. Matthew Nicholson made a dunk off a feed from Langborg to give the Wildcats a six-point lead with 11:43 left in the half.

Minnesota responded with a 7-0 run to grab a 15-14 edge. Garcia punctuated the run with a layup off a feed from Mike Mitchell Jr.

Momentum once again swung toward the Wildcats, who scored 13 of the next 15 points to go on top 27-17 with 3:46 left in the half. Ty Berry buried a 3-pointer from the left wing to put Northwestern ahead by 10 points and prompt Minnesota to call a timeout.

The break helped Minnesota regroup. It finished the half on a 10-0 run to pull even at halftime.

—Field Level Media