ICYMI, Gophers beat Buckeyes in Columbus behind Garcia and Cooper

Ben Johnson Golden Gophers head coach
70,795 Ben Johnson Minn M BKB coach On his young team getting its first Big 10 win MINN 70 OSU 67 1 12 2023.mp3
70,798 Ben Johnson Minn M BKB coach The difference in the game leading to the win MINN 70 OSU 67 1 12 2023.mp3
70,799 Ben Johnson Minn M BKB coach On Marquette transfer Dawson Garcia’s 28 points MINN 70 OSU 67 1 12 2023.mp3
Dawson Garcia

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Dawson Garcia tied a career high with 28 points and grabbed nine rebounds, Ta’Lon Cooper added 13 points and 11 rebounds and Minnesota held off Ohio State 70-67 on Thursday night for its first Big Ten victory of the season.

Minnesota won just its 19th game at Ohio State in 74 attempts.

Pharrel Payne made Minnesota’s last field goal of the game with 5:15 left for a 64-53 lead. Then Garcia went 3 for 6 on his next three trips to the free-throw line to allow Ohio State back in it.

Ta’Lon Cooper

Brice Sensabaugh made a corner 3-pointer with 29.8 seconds left to get Ohio State within 67-65. After Minnesota missed the front end of a one-and-one, Sensabaugh was fouled in the lane before making two to tie it at 67-all with 8.6 left.

Cooper found himself open driving down the lane for a dunk, but a foul was called at the rim with 1.7 seconds left. Cooper missed the first free throw and made the second following a timeout. Ohio State turned it over and Garcia added two free throws to seal it.

Jamison Battle scored 11 points and Payne added 10 for Minnesota (7-8, 1-4). Cooper also had four assists to reach 500 for his career.

Sensabaugh had 18 points and 10 rebounds for Ohio State (10-6, 2-3). Justice Sueing scored 13, Sean McNeil added 11 and Bruce Thornton and Zed Key each had 10.

Up Next: Gophers Host Illinois on Monday. Game time is set for 5 p.m. and televised on Big Ten Network.

COURTESY MINNESOTA ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS