MINNEAPOLIS — Minnesota coach Richard Pitino preached to his players about “imposing their will” against Division II opponent Franklin Pierce on Thursday night.
A 25-0 run in the game’s first eight minutes showed his players were listening.
Carlos Morris scored 16 points and freshman Nate Mason added 15 as Minnesota defeated Franklin Pierce 109-57 in NIT Season Tip-Off action.
Minnesota shot 58.3 percent from the field, converting 11 of 15 3-pointers (73.3 percent) in the romp. Most of those open looks came off relentless pressure from the Gophers’ guards. As a team, Minnesota had 15 steals and forced 24 Ravens turnovers.
“Coach has been pressing us to turn up the intensity, turn up the pressure and make guys uncomfortable,” senior point guard DeAndre Mathieu said. “We played unselfish and a lot of guys got involved. We’re going to try to keep this pace going and make guys uncomfortable, pressure the ball and get some easy looks.”
Tyler Iacuone led the Ravens (2-2) with 11 points, while Cumberland, Maine native Mike McDevitt added 10. Fomer Bonny Eagle standout Dustin Cole chipped in with three points and two rebounds in 14 minutes. The Ravens who shot 32.3 percent from the floor as they struggled to keep up with Minnesota’s breakneck pace.
“We thought about (slowing down the game), but . I don’t think it would have mattered what we did against them,” Franklin Pierce coach David Chabourne said. “They were just obviously a lot better. More physical than we were, and are. They made everything, we missed some shots that we normally make, that’s mostly because they kept us out of rhythm all night.”
Senior guard Andre Hollins had 14 points and eight rebounds, while Joey King added 11 points.
The Golden Gophers (2-1) blew the game open early with a 25-0 run in the game’s first eight minutes. Reserve forward Charles Buggs highlighted the run with a 3-pointer from the corner and a thunderous dunk in transition before McDevitt converted a three-point play for the Ravens.
Franklin Pierce gave St. John’s a challenge on Monday before falling by 13. But they were no match for the Gophers, who went 6-for-7 behind the arc in the first half and raced to a 55-31 lead at the break.
The Ravens started only one player taller than 6-foot-5, allowing Gophers center Mo Walker to dominate early. The 6-10 Walker used his height advantage to score four baskets down low in the first five minutes.
QUOTE OF THE NIGHT
“Off the top of my head, it’s hard to say what we did well tonight.” – Ravens center McDevitt.
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