In its final exhibition game Friday, the Gophers men’s basketball continued the pluckiness it showed last season.
Creighton took a 18-point lead at 49-31 early in the second half, but Minnesota fought back to force overtime by keeping the Bluejays without a bucket over the final seven minutes of regulation.
Then Creighton guard Wes Enis’ 3-pointer with 14 seconds left forced a second OT and the Bluejays outlasted Minnesota in that additional five minutes, 89-86, at CHI Health Center in Omaha, Neb.
Like last year, the Gophers did it shorthanded. Starting point guard Kyan Evans appeared to injure his right hip during the first half. After playing 13 minutes early, the North Carolina transfer did not play in the second half. He was on the bench.
Gophers coach Niko Medved was not scheduled to do postgame interviews Friday in Omaha to give an update on Evans.
In the final 90 seconds of regulation, backup guard Kai Shinholster scored on two drives to give Minnesota the lead twice, but after Creighton tied the game, he missed another layup and jumper that would have won the game.
Fellow starting guard Isaac Asuma led all scorers with 32 points on 11 for 22 shooting. He appeared to tie the game at 87 with five seconds left but it was ruled a two to make it 87-86. After two Creighton free throws, Asuma’s last-second trey was off the mark.
In the first half, the Gophers had 11 turnovers, which Creighton turned into 10 points and led 44-31 at the half. Minnesota cleaned up the turnovers in the second half, but they had four over four minutes in the second OT to contribute to their undoing.
Minnesota finished with 20 turnovers in 50 minutes to eight for Creighton.
Minnesota shot 13 for 28 (48%) from the free throw line, including 1 for 8 from center Malick Kordel.
Minnesota started sluggish, with three turnovers and four missed shouts as the Bluejays took a 11-0 lead. Niko Medved called timeout and the U went on a 12-3 run to make it 14-12.
The Gophers won its first exhibition game, 72-52 over Omaha on Oct. 15, and the U season starts Nov. 2 vs. North Dakota at The Barn.
Creighton was picked to finish seventh in the 11-team Big East preseason poll. The Bluejays beat Iowa State 83-80 in Ames n its first exhibition game on Oct. 18.
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