MINNEAPOLIS - Damian Johnson had a career-high 21 points to lead unbeaten Minnesota to a 74-60 win over South Dakota State on Wednesday night.
With nine-straight wins, the Gophers are off to their best start since the 1976-77 squad started 11-0.
The Gophers never trailed and jumped out to a quick double-digit lead while the perimeter-oriented Jackrabbits (4-6, 1-1 Summit) were forced to heave 3-pointers to keep pace.
S. DAKOTA ST. (4-6): Cassaday 3-5 0-1 6, Cordova 2-2 0-0 4, Moss 0-3 2-2 2, Ga.Callahan 5-13 1-2 15, Casey 0-4 0-0 0, Williams 2-12 0-0 4, Sargent 8-13 5-6 25, Palarca 0-1 2-2 2, Engen 1-2 0-0 2. Totals 21-55 10-13 60.
MINNESOTA (9-0): Johnson 10-15 1-4 21, Sampson III 3-8 4-4 10, Iverson 2-4 0-1 4, Abu-Shamala 2-3 0-0 5, Nolen 4-8 0-1 8, Joseph 2-6 0-0 4, Busch 3-5 0-0 6, Williams 0-3 0-0 0, Westbrook 4-10 2-2 12, Bostick 2-3 0-1 4, Payton 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 32-66 7-13 74.
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Halftime - Minnesota 39-24. 3-Point Goals - S. Dakota St. 8-24 (Sargent 4-8, Ga.Callahan 4-9, Casey 0-3, Williams 0-4), Minnesota 3-17 (Westbrook 2-7, Abu-Shamala 1-2, Sampson III 0-1, Bostick 0-1, Joseph 0-1, Johnson 0-2, Nolen 0-3). Fouled Out - None. Rebounds - S. Dakota St. 38 (Cassaday 7), Minnesota 36 (Nolen 8). Assists - S. Dakota St. 16 (Ga.Callahan 5), Minnesota 24 (Nolen 11). Total Fouls - S. Dakota St. 17, Minnesota 11. A - 12,388. A - 12,388.
