Mitchell scores 20 points to lead Minnesota past Ball State; its 10th game at home
MINNEAPOLIS -- — Mike Mitchell Jr. scored 20 points shooting 8 for 11 and Pharrel Payne scored 13 points and Minnesota beat Ball State 80-63 on Thursday night in a game it never trailed.
Elijah Hawkins and Joshua Ola-Joseph each scored 12 points and Cam Christie 11 for Minnesota (9-3) which has been on its home court for the season's first 10 games.
Jalin Anderson scored 26 points and Basheer Jihad 17 points for the Cardinals (8-4).
Mitchell started the game with a pair of 3-pointers, Christie made a jumper and 3 and Ola-Joseph made a pair of layups and Minnesota led 15-5. The Golden Gophers stayed ahead by double digits most of the first half and led led 39-27 at halftime.
Anderson's 3-pointer for Ball State brought the Cardinals to within 55-48 with 10:54 left; the closest Ball State got. Ola-Joseph made a jumper and a layup, Payne made consecutive layups to grow the lead to 72-57 with 6:11 left and Minnesota led by double figures for the remainder.
It was just the third-ever meeting between the two schools. The programs squared off in 1987 and 1988 each coming away with a win.
The Cardinals will start Mid-Atlantic Conference play on the road against Kent State on Jan. 2.
Minnesota hosts Maine on Dec. 29.
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Game Information
- Referees:
- Bill Ek
- Brian Dorsey
- Chad Barlow
2024-25 Mid-American Conference Standings
| Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kent State | 0-0 | - | 8-2 |
| Akron | 0-0 | - | 6-4 |
| Miami (OH) | 0-0 | - | 6-4 |
| Eastern Michigan | 0-0 | - | 6-5 |
| Toledo | 0-0 | - | 6-5 |
| Ball State | 0-0 | - | 5-6 |
| Buffalo | 0-0 | - | 5-6 |
| Central Michigan | 0-0 | - | 5-6 |
| Ohio | 0-0 | - | 5-6 |
| Bowling Green | 0-0 | - | 4-7 |
| Northern Illinois | 0-0 | - | 3-8 |
| Western Michigan | 0-0 | - | 3-8 |
2024-25 Big Ten Conference Standings
| Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan State | 2-0 | - | 10-2 |
| UCLA | 2-0 | - | 10-2 |
| Michigan | 2-0 | - | 8-3 |
| Oregon | 1-1 | 1 | 10-1 |
| Maryland | 1-1 | 1 | 10-2 |
| Penn State | 1-1 | 1 | 10-2 |
| Nebraska | 1-1 | 1 | 7-2 |
| Iowa | 1-1 | 1 | 9-3 |
| Northwestern | 1-1 | 1 | 9-3 |
| Indiana | 1-1 | 1 | 9-3 |
| Illinois | 1-1 | 1 | 7-3 |
| Ohio State | 1-1 | 1 | 8-4 |
| Purdue | 1-1 | 1 | 8-4 |
| USC | 1-1 | 1 | 8-4 |
| Rutgers | 1-1 | 1 | 7-5 |
| Wisconsin | 0-2 | 2 | 9-3 |
| Washington | 0-2 | 2 | 8-3 |
| Minnesota | 0-2 | 2 | 7-5 |
Men's College Basketball News
