Key observations from Gophers' double-overtime exhibition loss to Creighton
Minnesota's final exhibition of the season was a thriller.
The Minnesota Gophers men's basketball team faced a thrilling exhibition loss to Creighton 89-86 in double overtime on Friday night in Omaha. Despite the loss, the Gophers showcased a standout performance in the game. Kyan Evans and Kai Shinholster were sidelined by injuries, but the Gophers' statement performance highlighted the talent of their players.
Isaac Asuma was the star of the night, scoring a career-high 32 points. He shot 11 of 22 from the field, 4 of 9 from three, and 6 of 7 from the free-throw line, contributing five rebounds and two assists. Asuma's performance came in the second half and overtime, which will likely boost his confidence as he prepares for the regular season opener against North Dakota on Nov.
2. Kyan Evans, who played only 13 minutes due to a hip injury, will have ample time to recover before the regular-season opener. Kai Shinholster stepped up as a key player, filling in for Evans and contributing 13 points and 11 rebounds. His strong performance demonstrates his potential to become a crucial part of the Gophers' rotation for the upcoming season.
The Gophers' backcourt rebounding, highlighted by Shinholster's 11 rebounds and Nolan Groves' eight rebounds, will add an intriguing dynamic to the team's play all season.
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