While the offense was slow coming out of the gates, the defense held the Buckeyes to one field goal in the first eight and a half minutes of the game which allowed the Gophers to build an early lead at Williams Arena they almost gave back but never fully relinquished as they beat the Ohio State Buckeyes, 78-68.
Despite a poor game from their junior leader, point guard Nate Mason, Minnesota found just enough offense from freshman Amir Coffey and senior Akeem Springs to protect the lead throughout the second half even when the Gophers defense soften and allowed Ohio State to creep back into the game.