NCAAM teams
GB

56

2-9
Final
MINN

72

10-1
RecapBox Score
1 2 T
GB 29 27 56
MINN 28 44 72
Williams Arena, Minneapolis
AP 2y

Battle, Willis lead Minnesota past Green Bay 72-56

Men's College Basketball, Minnesota Golden Gophers, Green Bay Phoenix

MINNEAPOLIS -- — Jamison Battle scored 23 points, Payton Willis had 10 of his 14 in the second half and Minnesota got by Green Bay 72-56 on Wednesday.

The Phoenix (2-9), who have lost four in a row, led 29-28 at the half but the Golden Gophers (10-1), who have won three straight, opened the second half with a 12-2 run.

Willis, who previously play at Vanderbilt and College of Charleston, surpassed 1,000 career points (1,013) and added a career-high 10 assists. Sean Sutherlin scored 12 points, 11 in the second half, and Eric Curry scored 11 with 10 rebounds.

Despite Minnesota's quick start in the second half, the Phoenix stayed within striking distance before Sutherlin scored five straight points and then capped a 13-4 run for a 61-46 lead with 6:07 to go.

The Phoenix answered with seven-straight points but only made one of their final five shots while Minnesota made its final three.

Kamari McGee scored 14 points and Donovan Ivory 11 for Green Bay, which was 2 of 18 from 3-point range.

Minnesota shot 61.5% in the second half, making 5 of 7 behind the arc, while Green Bay shot 38% (11 of 29).

The Golden Gophers play Alcorn State on Dec. 29 before resuming Big Ten play against Illinois on Jan. 2.

------

For more AP college basketball coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball and http://twitter.com/AP--Top25

^ Back to Top ^