No. 14 Minnesota breezes past South Dakota State
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Andre Hollins hit 6-of-7 from 3-point range and finished with a game-high 22 points to lead the 14th-ranked Minnesota Golden Gophers in an 88-64 rout of South Dakota State.
Austin Hollins compiled 17 points, five assists and four steals for Minnesota (9-1), which improved to 16-0 against South Dakota State.
"It can be discouraging when the other team keeps making 3-pointers and it's hard to come back from that, especially when you feel like you can't stop them," said Austin Hollins. "Andre did a great job in the first half and he gave us that energy boost that I think we all needed."
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Joe Coleman contributed 15 points and seven rebounds in the Gophers' fifth straight win since a loss to Duke on Nov. 22 and the 499th of coach Tubby Smith's career.
Jordan Dykstra had 17 points to pace the Jackrabbits (6-3), who played without leading scorer Nate Wolters because of an ankle injury. Wolters is averaging a robust 20.8 points this season.
Tony Fiegen and Chad White posted 10 points apiece in the lopsided loss that snapped the Jackrabbits' winning streak at five games.
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"I didn't care what the score was, I just didn't see us compete like I want us to compete," said South Dakota State coach Scott Nagy.
South Dakota State hung around in the early going, with Zach Horstman draining a 3-pointer to knot the score at 10-10. The Gophers put together a 10-0 run shortly thereafter and never looked back.
Minnesota wound up doubling the Jackrabbits in the first half, taking a 48-24 lead into the break.
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The Gophers' advantage grew as high as 31 during the second half.
Game Notes
Minnesota shot 56.9 percent from the floor ... The Gophers have won 61-of-62 all-time matchups against Summit League teams ... Trevor Mbakwe posted eight points and 10 rebounds for Minnesota.