Joey King scores 15 and Minnesota handles Georgia 66-62 in NIT Season Tip-Off

Georgia's forward Nemanja Djurisic (42) tries to shoot between Minnesota's forward Joey King (24) and forward Maurice Walker (15) in the second half of an NIT Season Tip-off consolation NCAA college basketball game at Madison Square Garden, Friday, Nov. 28, 2014, in New York. Minnesota won 66-62. (AP Photo/Kathy Kmonicek) (The Associated Press)

Georgia's guard Kenny Gaines (12) recovers a loose ball against Minnesota's forward Carlos Morris (11) in the first half of an NIT Season Tip-off consolation NCAA college basketball game at Madison Square Garden, Friday, Nov. 28, 2014, in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Kmonicek) (The Associated Press)

The Minnesota Golden Gophers defeated the Georgia Bulldogs 66-62 in the third place game of the NIT Season Tip-Off.

Joey King's season-high 15 points led the way for Minnesota (4-2). DeAndre Mathieu also had a season-high 12 points.

Marcus Thornton led the way for Georgia (3-3) with 14 points and 10 rebounds in the loss. Yante Maten scored all 12 of his points in the first half. J.J. Frazier scored all 12 of his points in the second half.

Minnesota came out of the gate firing from downtown (7 of 12) while forcing 15 Georgia turnovers in the first half.

The Golden Gophers built a 16-point lead (28-12) at the 7:23 mark in the first half before ultimately taking a 37-25 lead into the locker room at the half and never looking back.