Gophers stroll past Northern Illinois

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[December 12, 2016]    Five Golden Gophers scored in double figures as Minnesota maintained its mastery of Northern Illinois with a 77-56 nonconference victory Sunday at Williams Arena in Minneapolis.

 

Reggie Lynch collected 18 points and 11 rebounds, while Jordan Murphy added 12 points and 10 boards as the Golden Gophers (10-1) won their fourth straight and improved to 6-0 all-time against the Huskies.

Nate Mason had 11 points while Akeem Springs and Dupree McBrayer added 10 for Minnesota.

Marshawn Wilson tied for game-high honors with 18 points while Dontel Highsmith scored 10 as Northern Illinois (4-5) dropped its second straight and its fifth in six games.

The Golden Gophers led 29-23 at halftime and then steadily pulled away in the second half, outscoring the Huskies 48-33 following the break.

Minnesota shot 24 of 58 (41.4 percent) from the field overall, hit 4 of 15 tries from 3-point range (26.7 percent) and outrebounded Northern Illinois 48-28.

The Huskies hit 22 of 59 (37.3 percent) from the field against a Gophers team that came into the game holding opponents to 35.2 percent field-goal shooting.

The Gophers also registered a major advantage at the foul line, hitting 25 of 30 free throws while the Huskies were just 10 of 14.

Northern Illinois was playing its first game in 11 days after taking a break for final exams. Minnesota improved to 9-0 on its home court and is now 22-2 all-time against Mid-American Conference programs.

Both teams are back in action Wednesday on their home courts. Olivet Nazarene visits Northern Illinois, while LIU-Brooklyn travels to Minnesota.

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