Garcia’s 30-Point Masterclass Powers Gophers to Dominant Season Opening Victory
Dawson Garcia put on a spectacular show in the Minnesota Golden Gophers’ season opener, leading his team to a convincing 80-57 victory over Oral Roberts on Wednesday night. The 6-foot-11 senior forward’s remarkable performance set the tone for what could be a promising season ahead.
Garcia, showing why he’s considered one of the Big Ten’s elite players, lit up the scoreboard with an efficient 30 points in just 23 minutes of play. His shooting display was nothing short of remarkable, connecting on 11 of 14 attempts from the field, including a red-hot 4-of-5 from beyond the arc.
“The work that I’ve put in is just second nature now,” Garcia shared after the game, his confidence evident. “I was out there playing my game, playing loose and having fun.”
The Gophers wasted no time establishing their dominance, jumping out to a commanding 29-8 lead early in the game. Garcia’s height advantage proved too much for Oral Roberts to handle, as he scored at will both in the paint and from distance. His hot hand resulted in 16 points on perfect 6-for-6 shooting, including three three-pointers, during the opening surge.
Head coach Ben Johnson expressed his satisfaction with Garcia’s shot selection: “When he takes good shots, rhythm shots, and doesn’t settle, he’s a really good player.” This marks Garcia’s fourth career 30-point game, but notably, it’s the first time such a performance has resulted in a Gophers victory.
The team’s offensive success wasn’t limited to Garcia alone. Parker Fox contributed 13 points, while Lu’Cye Patterson added 10 points to the winning effort. The Gophers’ new point guard, Mike Mitchell Jr., showed excellent playmaking ability with nine assists, contributing to the team’s impressive total of 25 assists.
Defensively, the Gophers showed promise, holding Oral Roberts to just 34.5% shooting from the field. The Golden Eagles’ star player, Issac McBride, who averaged nearly 20 points last season, was held to just 15 points on 4-of-11 shooting.
Notable defensive contributions came from newcomer Femi Odukale, who made his debut count with six assists and four steals after missing two exhibition games due to a hip injury.
The Gophers’ impressive shooting night saw them hit 57.7% of their field goals and a remarkable 61.1% from three-point range. However, free-throw shooting remains an area for improvement, as the team struggled with a 9-for-17 performance from the charity stripe.
Despite the roster featuring nine newcomers, the team showed promising chemistry. “The chemistry is coming,” Garcia noted. “We lost a good number of guys. It took a little bit of time, but once we connected, I feel like everybody’s on the same page.”
Looking ahead, the Gophers are waiting on the return of potential starting big man Frank Mitchell, who missed Wednesday’s game with a shoulder injury but could return for Saturday’s matchup against Nebraska Omaha.
The victory showcased both the team’s potential and areas for growth. While Garcia’s stellar performance highlighted the night, the collective effort on both ends of the floor suggests this new-look Gophers team might surprise some opponents as the season progresses.
Key Statistics:
- Dawson Garcia: 30 points (11-14 FG, 4-5 3PT), 8 rebounds
- Team Shooting: 57.7% FG, 61.1% 3PT
- Team Defense: Held Oral Roberts to 34.5% shooting
- Team Assists: 25 (Mitchell Jr. with 9, Odukale with 6)
The Gophers will look to build on this momentum when they face Nebraska Omaha in their next contest on Saturday.