Gophers play it down to final seconds, escape with home victory over Nebraska Omaha in men’s basketball

Dawson Garcia again showed off his star power, but foul trouble and another injury to a key player made Saturday’s game come down to the final minute for the Gophers men’s basketball team in a 68-64 victory against Nebraska Omaha at Williams Arena.

Garcia, who finished with a game-high 24 points, made one of two free throws to make it 66-64 with 45 seconds left. After the Gophers came up with a critical defensive stop, Lu’Cye Patterson made two free throws to give his team a four-point cushion with 19.6 seconds remaining.

Starting guard Mike Mitchell Jr. went down awkwardly after a steal and missed layup around the 15-minute mark in the second half. Mitchell didn’t return after failing to put weight on his lower left leg as he exited.

“It was unfortunate and bad luck,” coach Ben Johnson said. “But with all the stuff that didn’t go our way, it goes back to at the end of the day you still have to find a way to win. It’s not a beauty contest. We have to be OK with winning ugly.”

Coming off his 30-point game opening night vs. Oral Roberts, Garcia watched the Gophers struggle to find an offensive rhythm without him and trail 33-30 at halftime. The Gophers shot 8-for-23 in the first half outside of Garcia.

Garcia went to bench with his fourth foul with Omaha leading 53-50 with 8:19 remaining. The Gophers desperately needed a spark, and they got it from Isaac Asuma and Trey Edmonds. Asuma’s three-pointer and Edmonds’ free throws helped them take the lead, 59-57, with five minutes left. Brennan Rigsby’s steal and dunk capped a 7-0 run for a four-point advantage.

“I felt like we needed that,” Edmonds said. “We kept trying to find those areas where we needed an energy spark. I felt like that was a big turning point in the game.”

The Gophers dodged a bullet Saturday. They haven’t lost to a nonleague opponent outside of the major conferences at home since falling to Milwaukee on Dec. 23, 2015.

The team’s only returning guard from last season, Mitchell was the player most likely to replace Elijah Hawkins at point guard, especially after nine assists in the 80-57 opening win against Oral Roberts.

The Gophers are deeper in the backcourt this season, but Mitchell’s experience in the system was crucial. Asuma not looking like a typical freshman could make a difference if his playing time increases. Patterson took a big step defensively Saturday and scored all eight points in the second half with six assists.

“Just playing loose,” Patterson said. “Felt like in the first half I played tight, but I showed my true colors in the second half. Just being myself. Not caring about making mistakes. Not being hesitant.”

Several players stepped up with Garcia in foul trouble, but he still put up 14 of his 24 points in the second half Saturday. The 6-11 senior shot 9-for-16 from the field and grabbed seven rebounds.

Another notable performance came from Edmonds, who finished with 12 points on 4-for-6 shooting. The 6-10 Texas San Antonio transfer gave the Gophers an inside presence off the bench.

“It was a physical game for sure,” Edmonds said. “It wasn’t going to be a sweet or easy game we can just stroll into. … Coach got on us a little bit, but in the second half we came out with more fire.”

Mitchell wasn’t able to return to the sideline during the game, but Johnson said “our fingers are crossed” that it’s an ankle sprain and nothing major.

The Gophers played their second game without Frank Mitchell (shoulder), but he’s expected to be cleared for contact Monday and could make his debut soon. Tyler Cochran (foot) and Caleb Williams (mononucleosis) were also out Saturday. Johnson said freshman Grayson Grove will redshirt this season.

The Gophers continue the six-game homestand to open the season by hosting North Texas on Wednesday and Yale on Saturday at the Barn.