Center Dawson Garcia played despite a groin injury, and starting guard Mike Mitchell Jr. and four others were absent for the Gophers.

Minnesota came out of the locker room with some urgency. After making 5-of-6 field goals, the Gophers cut North Texas' lead to 30-27 and reignited some energy into the home crowd at The Barn. They surpassed their first-half scoring total just over five minutes into the second half.

To say the Gophers men’s basketball team started slow Wednesday is an understatement. Playing without starting point guard Mike Mitchell Jr., Minnesota couldn’t get anything going offensively