University of Minnesota Athletics
Tuesday, November 9
7:00 PM
University of Minnesota
1-0,0-0Big Ten
71
vs
56
Kansas City
0-1,0-0Summit League
1
2
F
Kansas City
25
31
56
Minnesota
33
38
71
Photo by: Kelly Hagenson
Johnson Gets First Collegiate Coaching Win in 71-56 Victory over the Roos
11/9/2021 9:49:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Jamison Battle scored 18 points, Minnesota allowed just four points over the final seven minutes and the Golden Gophers defeated Kansas City 71-56 on Tuesday night in the season opener for both teams.
The win came in coach Ben Johnson's debut with the Gophers.
Minnesota led 46-35 with 13:17 remaining in the second half but the Roos went on a 17-8 run to draw within 54-52 with 7:42 remaining. Luke Loewe and EJ Stephens combined to score the game's next 10 points for Minnesota and the Gophers led 64-52 with 3:44 to go.
Kansas City's scoring drought lasted until Evan Gilyard II scored on a fast break at the 1:52 mark.
Stephens finished with 13 points, as did Payton Willis in his return to Minnesota after spending last season at the College of Charleston. Willis, who played for the Gophers in 2019-20, went 3 for 6 from 3-point range. Battle, Loewe, Stephens and Willis are four of 10 transfers that Johnson added to a roster that has only two returners from last season. Josiah Allick led Kansas City with 21 points. Gilyard added 12 points and Marvin Nesbitt Jr. 11.
Minnesota plays in the Asheville Championship, Nov. 12 & 14. The Gophers face Western Kentucky Friday at 5:30 p.m., on ESPNU. Sunday's opponent, broadcast information and game time will follow after Friday's conclusion.Â
Â
The win came in coach Ben Johnson's debut with the Gophers.
Minnesota led 46-35 with 13:17 remaining in the second half but the Roos went on a 17-8 run to draw within 54-52 with 7:42 remaining. Luke Loewe and EJ Stephens combined to score the game's next 10 points for Minnesota and the Gophers led 64-52 with 3:44 to go.
Kansas City's scoring drought lasted until Evan Gilyard II scored on a fast break at the 1:52 mark.
Stephens finished with 13 points, as did Payton Willis in his return to Minnesota after spending last season at the College of Charleston. Willis, who played for the Gophers in 2019-20, went 3 for 6 from 3-point range. Battle, Loewe, Stephens and Willis are four of 10 transfers that Johnson added to a roster that has only two returners from last season. Josiah Allick led Kansas City with 21 points. Gilyard added 12 points and Marvin Nesbitt Jr. 11.
Minnesota plays in the Asheville Championship, Nov. 12 & 14. The Gophers face Western Kentucky Friday at 5:30 p.m., on ESPNU. Sunday's opponent, broadcast information and game time will follow after Friday's conclusion.Â
Â
Team Stats
KC
MINN
FG%
.431
.462
3FG%
.278
.364
FT%
.700
.750
RB
30
33
TO
12
9
STL
2
8
Game Leaders
Pts
18
FGM
7
3FGM
3
FTM
1
Pts
13
FGM
5
3FGM
3
FTM
0
Pts
13
FGM
5
3FGM
1
FTM
2
Pts
9
FGM
3
3FGM
1
FTM
2
Players Mentioned
Forward
/ Men's BasketballGuard
/ Men's BasketballGuard
/ Men's BasketballCade Tyson's 38 Point Performance
Tuesday, December 16
Highlights: Gophers 89, TX Southern 53
Sunday, December 14
Highlights: Gophers 57, Purdue 85
Wednesday, December 10
Gopher Round Table: Men's Basketball
Wednesday, December 10