Minnesota delivered a statement performance in a thrilling 77-69 upset over the 15th-ranked Oregon Ducks, their highest-ranked victory in four years. In front of a lively crowd of 11,062 at Williams Arena, the Gophers (11-9, 3-6 Big Ten) secured their third consecutive win, buoyed by standout performances from Dawson Garcia and Parker Fox.
Garcia, who has been on a scoring tear, recorded a season-high 31 points, shooting an impressive 13-of-19 from the field and 3-of-5 from beyond the arc. The junior forward also added six rebounds, three blocks, and two assists. This marked his second 30-point game of the season and his fifth straight game scoring 20 or more points, a feat not seen since Amir Coffey’s run in 2019. Meanwhile, Fox tallied 13 points and 11 rebounds for his first double-double as a Gopher, along with three assists and two steals.
The Gophers started the game on fire, making 10 of their first 14 shots and building a commanding 26-8 lead early in the first half. Oregon responded with a 12-1 run to narrow the gap, but Minnesota maintained their composure, entering halftime with a 44-38 advantage. Garcia and Fox were instrumental, combining for 24 first-half points while Lu'Cye Patterson and Mike Mitchell Jr. contributed key plays to keep the momentum on Minnesota’s side.
The Ducks (16-4, 5-4 Big Ten) showed resilience, opening the second half with an 8-0 run to take their first lead. However, the Gophers quickly regained control with a dominant stretch led by Garcia, who scored back-to-back buckets to spark an 8-0 counter-run. Minnesota’s defense also stepped up, limiting Oregon to just two three-pointers in the second half and holding them to 8-of-22 shooting overall.
Key plays in the final minutes sealed the victory for Minnesota. Garcia hit crucial free throws, converted a spinning floater, and capped the game with a breakaway dunk to finish his stellar 31-point night. The Gophers also forced timely turnovers and out-rebounded the Ducks 35-26, showcasing their ability to close out games against tough opponents.
Oregon was led by Brandon Angel’s 18 points, while TJ Bamba and Jackson Shelstad each added 15. Despite their strong start, the Ducks struggled in the second half, shooting just 2-of-12 from three-point range.
The win marks Minnesota’s first three-game Big Ten winning streak since early last season and adds to their recent success at Williams Arena, where they have defeated two ranked teams in as many games. The Gophers will look to carry this momentum into their next challenge on Tuesday, Jan. 28, when they travel to face No. 8 Michigan State.
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