MINNEAPOLIS (AP) The Minnesota Gophers fell to a balanced Milwaukee Panthers 74-65 on Wednesday night.

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Carlos Morris scored a game-high 24 while Jordan Murphy added 16 points and 10 rebounds for the Gophers (6-6), who lost at home to a mid-major for the third time this month.

For Milwaukee, Jordan Johnson nearly recorded a triple-double with 19 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds, as all five Panthers (9-4) starters reached double figures in scoring. Akeem Springs scored 15 points and had seven rebounds, while J.J. Panoske chipped in 12 points and eight boards.

Matt Tiby, Milwaukee's leading scorer, took just one shot in the first half but scored eight straight midway through the second as the Panthers broke open a tight game.

Morris hit back-to-back 3-pointers out of the break and his fast break reverse layup gave the Gophers their first lead at 43-41. But Tiby hit a jumper and three baskets in the low post, part of a 14-4 run that gave Milwaukee a 61-50 lead.

Milwaukee shot 57.7 percent from the floor in the second half, concentrating on taking the ball to the basket after finding success from the perimeter in the first half. The Panthers hit their first four 3-point attempts and raced to an 18-7 lead.

But Minnesota climbed back into it on the back of Murphy, who showcased his complete game in the first half. The 6-foot-6 freshman drained a long 3-pointer, threw down three dunks and grabbed seven rebounds. He finished with his fifth double-double in six games.

After the hot start, Milwaukee missed its next eight shots behind the arc, and the Gophers used a 10-2 run to tie the game at 30. Austin Arians finally converted a 3-pointer and Johnson scored in transition to put Milwaukee up 37-32 at the break.

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TIP-INS

Milwaukee: The Panthers were upset in their last game by a team that also knocked off Minnesota this season. South Dakota visited Panther Arena on Dec. 17 and escaped with a 92-91 victory in double overtime.

Minnesota: Murphy started for the first time this season. The freshman forward scored 12 points and grabbed 18 rebounds in his most recent game, a win over Chicago State. Minnesota made just 4 of 11 free throw attempts on Wednesday.

UP NEXT

Minnesota: Visits Ohio State next Wednesday.

Courtesy: Gophersports.com

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