By Ryan Falk

Friday, Nov. 6

Williams Arena 

Final score: Minnesota 81, Southwest Minnesota State 64

Recap:

The Gophers finished their exhibition schedule against Southwest Minnesota State Friday night with an 81-64 win against the Mustangs.

Three-point shooting was key for the Gophers who shot 36.4 percent from behind the arc.

Seniors, guard Carlos Morris and forward Joey King, combined for 30 points after only scoring 9 against Minnesota-Crookston on Nov. 1.

The Mustangs kept the game close in the first half, but the Gophers pulled away in the second half to secure the victory.

Five observations:

1. Joey King heats up from three-point range

King was locked in from three-point range Friday night.

He went 4-5 in the first half and finished the game with 17 points and went 5-7 from behind the arc.

2. Gophers improve from the line

Minnesota looked more confident at the free-throw line on Friday.

Minnesota shot 78.1 percent from the line against the Mustangs after shooting 52 percent in its first exhibition game.

3. Gophers efficient

Minnesota struggled against the Golden Eagles last Sunday, shooting 38.6 percent.

The Gophers were a different team on Friday, shooting well throughout the night. Minnesota shot 51.1 percent on 24 of 47 shooting.

4. Carlos Morris bounces back

Morris bounced back after scoring four points against the Golden Eagles in the first exhibition game.

Morris finished the game with 23 points, going 7-9 shooting.

5. Rebounding an issue against undersized Mustangs

Minnesota had trouble on the boards against an undersized Mustangs team. The tallest player for the Mustangs is 6-foot-8.

Minnesota had only 28 rebounds to the Mustangs’ 41 and its leading rebounder was sophomore guard Nate Mason with 7.

Up next:

The Gophers will open up the regular season on Friday Nov. 13 at Williams Arena against University of Missouri – Kansas City.