Sports

Gophers down Michigan State

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Dec 31, 2012 at 4:24 pm

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (KNSI) Andre Hollins had 22 points and six assists and Rodney Williams added 15 points and six rebounds to lift No. 9 Minnesota to a 76-63 victory over No. 18 Michigan State on Monday.

Trevor Mbakwe had 11 points and 12 rebounds and the Golden Gophers (13-1, 1-0 Big Ten) shot 56.6 percent to open conference play with an emphatic victory over a team that has owned them for years.

Keith Appling had 15 points and five assists and Gary Harris scored 12 for the Spartans (11-3, 0-1), who had beaten Minnesota 13 of the last 15 times the two teams had met.

Minnesota slammed the door with an 18-2 run over the final seven minutes in front of a euphoric Williams Arena crowd.