Minnesota prevails playing five on three
Nate Mason scored 20 points to lead No. 14 Minnesota to an 89-84 victory over No. 25 Alabama, which finished the game with only three players, in the championship game of the Barclays Center Classic on Saturday in Brooklyn, N.Y.
Jordan Murphy had 19 points and 14 rebounds for the Golden Gophers (7-0). Collin Sexton had 40 points for the Crimson Tide (5-1).
The game was marred by a near brawl in the second half, which prompted the ejection of Minnesota’s Nate Mason.
During the fracas, Alabama’s Donta Hall, Alex Reese, Daniel Giddens, Avery Johnson Jr. and Herbert Jones left the bench and were ejected. Teammate Dazon Ingram, who had four fouls at the time of the scuffle, fouled out.
“That was one of the most bizarre things I’ve ever been a part of,” Murphy said.
Nearly three minutes after the incident, Alabama lost John Petty to a leg injury. Still, Alabama outscored Minnesota 30-22 over the final 10-plus minutes.
“We didn’t give up,” coach Avery Johnson said. “There was no quit in our team.”
at No. 11 Miami 86, North Florida 65: Bruce Brown and Anthony Lawrence scored 14 points each to lead the Hurricanes (5-0).
Brown scored six points in a 16-2 run that helped Miami build a 17-point lead midway through the first half.
His dunk with 7:04 left to play capped the surge and gave the Hurricanes a 26-9 lead.
JT Escobar scored 16 points for the Ospreys (1-7).