Early n the second half, the Golden Eagles trimmed the margin to 38-29, but Fox answered again with five points during a 7-0 run. After flying in for a layup, the 6-8 Mahtomedi native picked up a technical foul after flexing toward an opposing player. That became the last time the U’s momentum was stopped.
Fox let the rest of the flexing come from Garcia. The former Prior Lake star had eight points during a 15-3 run in the second half that put the game out of reach, including his fourth three for his 28th point. He shot 11-for-14 from the field, including 4-for-5 on three-pointers.
Freshman Isaac Asuma, from Cherry, Minn., scored his first college basket on another three-pointer to cap 10 consecutive Gophers points and make it 60-36 midway through the second half.
As easy as the Gophers made it seem playing offense through Garcia, finding the best players to surround him will be a work in progress. The starting lineup also included Mitchell, Fox, Brennan Rigsby and Lu’Cye Patterson, who finished with 10 points.
Mitchell, who started in the backcourt last season alongside Big Ten assist leader Elijah Hawkins, had a solid audition as the team’s new point guard. He finished with nine assists and only one turnover.
There were newcomers off the bench who made a difference, most notably senior wing Femi Odukale. The 6-6 New Mexico State transfer wasn’t looking for his shot, but he had six assists and four steals in his debut after missing two exhibition games because of a minor hip injury.
