Mike Mitchell Jr. carries Minnesota past Ball State

Field Level Media|published: Thu 21st December, 22:23 2023

Dec 6, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers head coach Ben Johnson looks on during the first half against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Williams Arena. credits: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports

Mike Mitchell Jr. scored 20 points on 8-for-11 shooting, and Minnesota pulled away for an 80-63 win over visiting Ball State on Thursday night in Minneapolis.

Elijah Hawkins finished with 12 points, seven rebounds and nine assists for Minnesota (9-3), which won its fourth game in a row to extend its longest winning streak of the season. Pharrel Payne contributed 13 points, and Joshua Ola-Joseph scored 12.

Jalin Anderson led all scorers with 26 points on 11-for-18 shooting for Ball State (8-4). Basheer Jihad added 17 points for the Cardinals, who have lost back-to-back games for the first time this season.

The Golden Gophers never trailed.

Ball State cut the deficit to seven points with 10:54 remaining. Anderson drained a 3-pointer to bring the Cardinals within 55-48 and increase the odds for a comeback win.

Minnesota responded with a jump shot by Mitchell and a dunk by Payne to regain a double-digit lead with 10 minutes to play.

The Golden Gophers' lead increased to 18 points on a three-point conversion by Ola-Joseph that made it 75-57 with 5:24 remaining.

Davion Bailey made a 3-pointer for Ball State on the next possession, but the Cardinals never threatened in the final minutes. They managed only three points the rest of the way, all via free throws by Jihad.

Minnesota led 39-27 at the half.

The Golden Gophers surged to a 26-9 lead to start the game. The outburst ended with an 8-0 run that included two baskets by Parker Fox, as well as a jumper and two free throws by Hawkins.

Ball State pulled back within single digits when Bailey made a jumper with 4:16 remaining in the first half. Bailey's bucket sliced the deficit to 30-21.

The Cardinals trailed by eight when Mitchell made back-to-back baskets for Minnesota to finish the first half. Mitchell's sharp shooting boosted the Golden Gophers' lead to 12 at the break.

Minnesota finished with six turnovers, compared with 14 by Ball State. The Golden Gophers enjoyed a 19-5 advantage in points off turnovers.

—Field Level Media