Garcia’s double-double, backup Rigsby boost Minnesota past Penn St. 69-61

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. (AP) Dawson Garcia scored 19 points and grabbed 14 rebounds and reserve Brennan Rigsby scored 14 points and Minnesota pulled away from Penn State at the end for a 69-61 win on Tuesday night.

Rigsby was perfect shooting going 5 for 5 including 2 for 2 from 3-point range and made both of his foul shots. Lu’Cye Patterson added 14 point for the Golden Gophers (12-11, 4-8 Big Ten), who snapped a two-game losing streak.

Reserve D’Marco Dunn led Penn State (13-10, 3-9) with 18 points. Ace Baldwin Jr. and Zach Hicks each scored 11 points and Nick Kern Jr. 10.

Kern’s two free throws with 9:04 remaining marked the Nittany Lions’ last lead at 46-44 because on Minnesota’s ensuing possession, Mike Mitchell made a 3-pointer for a one-point advantage.

Patterson made two foul shots and Rigsby made a 3 for a 52-46 advantage. Dunn’s layup with 6:44 remaining reduced Penn State’s deficit to 52-48 but the Nittany Lions never got closer.

Penn State’s has lost four straight and eight of its last nine

Minnesota next plays Saturday when it hosts 23rd-ranked Illinois. Penn State travels to UCLA to play the Bruins on Saturday.

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