Gophers Defeat Ragin’ Cajuns to Open Men’s Hoops Season

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Nate Mason had 15 points and seven assists, and the Minnesota Golden Gophers had five players score in double figures in an 86-74 victory on Friday against Louisiana-Lafayette.

Dupree McBrayer added 15 points for Minnesota, which made 10 3-pointers and shot 40 percent from long distance. Amir Coffey, part of a three-guard starting unit with Mason and McBrayer, scored 13 points.

Bryce Washington scored 16 points and had 10 rebounds for the Ragin Cajuns, who couldn't stay with the Gophers while shooting 31.9 percent from the field.

John Marshall High School standout Michael Hurt, in his first game in a Gopher uniform, had 2 points from the free throw line. 

Minnesota committed 19 turnovers to 15 for Louisiana-Lafayette and was outrebounded 42-39, but the Gophers were helped with an efficient shooting attack from the outside to lead by as many as 27 in the game.

The Cajuns closed to 11 near the end of the first half, but Minnesota scored the final 11 points of the half, including a buzzer-beating 3 by Mason.