Here Come The Gophers: Minnesota moves closer to top of Big Ten after beating Michigan State

Freshman Cam Christie’s sinks career-high 5 3s to help Gophers knock off the Spartans at the Barn
Gophers, Minnesota, Basketball, Big Ten, Michigan State, Cam Christie
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - FEBRUARY 06: Cam Christie #24 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers celebrates his three-point basket against the Michigan State Spartans in the second half at Williams Arena on February 06, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Golden Gophers won 59-56. Photo credit (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)

Freshman Cam Christie recorded 19 points on 5-for-7 shooting from 3-point range and Dawson Garcia scored 10 points and Minnesota beat Michigan State for the first time since 2021 sinking the Spartans 59-56 on Tuesday night.

The Golden Gophers (15-7, 6-5) have won three straight after a four-game skid and have moved into a fourth-place tie with Northwestern — who they’ve beaten — in the Big Ten.

Tyson Walker led Michigan State with 20 points and Jaden Akins added 16. Michigan entered averaging 75 points per game.

Garcia’s 3-pointer with 1:27 left ended a tie at 52 and Minnesota led the remainder. After the teams traded possessions and missed baskets, Elijah Hawkins fouled Michigan State’s A.J. Hoggard on a 3 attempt with 20 seconds left. Hoggard made the first two, missed the third, and forced to foul, Michigan State’s Carson Cooper wrapped up Christie who made two free throws for a 57-54 advantage. Hoggard missed a two-point shot attempt with 10 seconds left and Hawkins made two foul shots to seal it.

Michigan led 45-36 after Tre Holloman’s jump shot with 13:16 left. But the Spartans missed nine consecutive shot attempts from the field and Minnesota went on a 10-0 run and led by a point after Pharrel Payne made 1 of 2 free throws with 7:56 left.

Michigan State (14-9, 6-6) lost for just the second time in its last seven games and saw its two-game win streak come to an end. The Spartans host No. 10 Illinois on Saturday.

ALSO IN ATTENDANCE?

Minnesota Viking free-agent quarterback Kirk Cousins was at Williams Arena for the game on Tuesday.

Cousins is a Michigan State grad. When mascot Goldy Gopher tried to get Cousins to put on a Minnesota jersey, Cousins would not do it staying "loyal" to his alma mater.

The Vikings and Cousins have each expressed interest in a new deal for the QB, but according to Cousins, there's been no real conversation with the team so far and he's "growing anxious" about it.

“I would love to get those conversations going now," Cousins told SkySports NFL on January 30.

Up Next: The Golden Gophers travel to Iowa on Sunday.

Featured Image Photo Credit: (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)