MINNEAPOLIS — Elijah Hawkins set a Minnesota program record with 17 assists, Cam Christie scored 19 points and the Golden Gophers cruised to a 101-65 victory over IUPUI on Tuesday night.
Minnesota shot 71% (24 of 34) in a 57-point first half and finished 63% shooting overall (42 of 67). The Golden Gophers also made 14 of their 28 3-pointers and finished with 31 assists. Joshua Ola-Joseph scored all 14 of his points before the break. Mike Mitchell Jr. scored 10 before halftime.
Parker Fox made all eight of his field goals and scored 16 points for Minnesota (8-3). Christie was 7-of-12 shooting with four 3s. Mitchell finished with 14 points.
Bryce Monroe scored 20 points on 10-of-20 shooting to lead IUPUI (3-8). Qwanzi Samuels added 13 points and John Egbuta had 11.
Six players combined for 8-of-13 shooting from long range to help Minnesota build a 57-27 halftime lead. Ola-Joseph and Mitchell each made two 3-pointers before halftime. Hawkins had 11 first-half assists.
Minnesota announced on Tuesday that sophomore guard Braeden Carrington will take an indefinite leave of absence from the program to focus on his mental health. Carrington had started all 10 games for the Golden Gophers this season.
IUPUI hosts Lindenwood on Saturday.
The Golden Gophers next host Ball State on Dec. 21.
