Penn State puts new outlook up against energized Minnesota

Field Level Media|published: Fri 21st February, 14:17 2025

Feb 18, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers forward Dawson Garcia (3) drives against UCLA Bruins forward Tyler Bilodeau (34) during the first half at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

Coming off its best game in weeks, visiting Penn State aims to ride the momentum into a Saturday afternoon matchup against resurgent Minnesota in a Big Ten contest at Minneapolis.

The Nittany Lions (14-13, 4-12 Big Ten) sit in last place in the conference standings, due in large part to a seven-game losing streak that the team ended Wednesday with a resounding 89-72 home win over Nebraska.

Zach Hicks and Yanic Konan Niederhauser each scored 19 points, while Ace Baldwin Jr. chipped in 10 points, eight assists and six steals. Penn State had lost 11 of its previous 12 games.

"I just thought for a stretch, we were just playing with so much pressure," Nittany Lions coach Mike Rhoades said. "You could see it. And when it doesn't go well, you've got to work through that, and some guys are better than others with it. ... I thought (Wednesday) we played with more freedom and more spirit, and you saw that."

One of Penn State's defeats during its long losing streak was a home setback against Minnesota on Feb. 4. The Golden Gophers posted a 69-61 victory behind Dawson Garcia's 19 points and 14 rebounds.

"Dawson's always going to get it going," said Minnesota's Brennan Rigsby, who chipped in 14 points. "When we get another couple guys going, it's really hard to stop us."

The Gophers (14-12, 6-9) enter the weekend after posting a pair of three-point wins in Los Angeles against USC and UCLA. Tuesday was another episode of the Dawson Garcia Show, as the senior forward registered a season-high 32 points in a 64-61 come-from-behind win over the Bruins.

Garcia scored 27 points in the second half alone, helping Minnesota overcome a 17-point, first-half deficit.

"It's a great emotion just to share it with guys who put everything into it," said Garcia, who shot 7-for-10 from the field and 11-for-12 from the free-throw line in the second half.

"I'm super happy for my teammates, the coaches, the university and just blessed to be in this position."

--Field Level Media