Rutgers University
Minnesota
Men's Basketball Downed 80-61 at Minnesota
Feb 21 | Men's Basketball
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – Rutgers men's basketball dropped an 80-61 decision at Minnesota on Saturday morning at Williams Arena.
The Scarlet Knights struck first for the sixth straight game and led early, but a 9-0 Minnesota run midway through the first half flipped the momentum. The Golden Gophers closed the opening period on a 6-0 burst to take a 36-23 advantage into the locker room and never relinquished control.
Minnesota shot a blistering 60 percent (30-of-50) from the field and 57.7 percent (15-of-26) from three-point range, with senior Cade Tyson leading the charge. Tyson poured in a game-high 27 points, knocking down 7-of-9 from beyond the arc. The Gophers placed four players in double figures and assisted on 23 of their 30 made field goals in a balanced offensive performance.
Rutgers finished 24-of-54 (44.4 percent) from the floor and 7-of-18 (38.9 percent) from three. Freshman Lino Mark provided a spark off the bench, scoring 16 points (a career-high) 6-of-7 shooting, including a perfect 3-of-3 from deep. Sophomore Dylan Grant added 15 points and five rebounds, going 5-of-8 from the field and 5-of-5 at the line. Junior guard Tariq Francis chipped in 10 points and five assists.
After trailing by as many as 24 in the second half, Rutgers continued to compete, shooting 53.8 percent after the break and scoring 38 second-half points. The Scarlet Knights totaled 24 points in the paint and received 21 points from their bench.
Rutgers (11-16, 4-12 Big Ten) will look to regroup as conference play continues next week at home against Washington on Tuesday night.
