Vancouver, B.C. - It was a pretty fitting match-up between the University of Minnesota and the Washington Huskies to conclude the men’s side of the TCL Vancouver Basketball Showcase. The Gophers went undefeated with buzzer beater win in finals. Washington came into the tournament a preseason Top 25 team and 4-1 on the season prior to their finals meeting with the Gophers.
Husky Forward Noah Dickerson showed up tonight with a big 28 points and 7 rebounds, topping his 25 point game from the previous night. Dickerson and Nowell combined for 50 of Washington’s 66 points for the game. Both the team’s struggled shooting from the field in the first half, Minnesota 26 percent to the Huskies 37 percent but Washington was able to maintain control in low scoring 1st half 25 to 20.
Double-double machine Jordan Murphy and Junior swingman Amir Coffey sparked the turn around for the Gophers combining for 35 the of the team’s 68 points with 29 coming in the second half between the two alone. As Minnesota battled back, point guard Isaiah Washington stepped up and knocked down 4 crucial free throws but it would come down to freshman Gabe Kalscheur’s game winning 3 just before buzzer went off. Kalscheur’s shot would save the Gophers winning start to the season putting them at 5-0.
Jordan Murphy was the tournaments Most Outstanding Player and during the TCL Showcase, Murphy became Minnesota’s all time leader in rebounds passing Mychal Thompson. The senior forward is currently averaging 13 points 12 rebounds and 4 assist per contest.
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