MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Elijah Hawkins scored 17 of his career-high 24 points in the second half, Dawson Garcia had 22 points and nine rebounds and Minnesota defeated Ohio State 88-79 on Thursday night.
Hawkins hit three of his four 3-pointers in the second half and finished with seven assists. Pharrel Payne added 15 points for the Golden Gophers.
Bruce Thornton scored 25 points to lead Ohio State.
Jamison Battle, who played for the Gophers the previous two seasons, returned to Williams Arena as an opponent for the first time and scored 21 points. Roddy Gayle Jr. added 13 points.