Gophers Dominate Alcorn State with 95-50 Victory in Williams Arena

UPDATE: The Minnesota Gophers men’s basketball team delivered a stunning performance, blowing out Alcorn State with a decisive 95-50 victory at Williams Arena on November 11, 2023. This win marks a historic margin of victory, the largest for Minnesota since a 46-point win against Northern Michigan in 1976.

The Gophers started strong, jumping to a commanding 17-0 lead, fueled by their relentless defense that did not allow a basket until 12:10 remained in the first half. Head coach Niko Medved emphasized the importance of the early 11 a.m. tip-off, challenging his team to be ready to play. “Guys’ mentality was awesome,” Medved stated, highlighting their defensive hustle and quick offense.

Throughout the game, Minnesota capitalized on their opponent’s mistakes, scoring 27 points off 16 turnovers from Alcorn State, which now falls to 0-3 this season. Despite the impressive start to the season, both Alcorn State and Minnesota’s previous opponent, Gardner-Webb, ranked low nationally, with Alcorn at 328th out of 365 teams according to analytics site KenPom.

Looking ahead, Minnesota (2-0) faces a tougher challenge when they play at Missouri (2-0) on Wednesday. Medved remarked that their strong starts are crucial for maintaining momentum against any opponent, acknowledging the players’ focus during practices and film sessions.

Key players in the game included Jaylen Crocker-Johnson, who recorded his second consecutive double-double with 15 points and a career-high 16 rebounds. He played a significant role in holding Alcorn State’s top scorer, Nick Woodward, to a scoreless game. “It was coming out and getting stops,” Crocker-Johnson said, emphasizing the team’s defensive mindset.

Point guard Chansey Willis, who was scoreless in the opener, led the Gophers in the first half with 11 points and finished with 13 points. Additionally, Cade Tyson, who netted 30 points against Gardner-Webb, contributed 21 points against Alcorn State, showcasing the Gophers’ offensive depth.

In injury news, BJ Omot and Grayson Grove missed the game, while Isaac Asuma played through a back injury. With limited players available, Minnesota only had nine athletes suited up, keeping regular starters on the court until the final whistle.

This emphatic win sets a positive tone for the Gophers as they prepare for their upcoming matchup, raising expectations for the team’s performance in the weeks ahead. Fans and analysts will be closely watching how this momentum carries into their next game against Missouri.

Stay tuned for more updates on the Gophers as they continue their season.