Gophers Cruise Past Franklin Pierce

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Carlos Morris scored 16 points and freshman Nate Mason added 15 Thursday night as Minnesota defeated Franklin Pierce 109-57 in NIT Season Tip-Off action.

Minnesota shot 58.3 percent from the field, 11 of 15 3-pointers (73.3 percent) in the romp. Senior guard Andre Hollinshad 14 points and eight rebounds, while forward Joey King added 11 points.

Tyler Iacuone led the Ravens with 11 points. Mike McDevitt added 10.

The Golden Gophers (2-1) blew the game open early with a 25-0 run in the game's first eight minutes. Reserve forward Charles Buggs highlighted the run with a 3-pointer from the corner and a thunderous dunk in transition before McDevitt converted a three-point play for the Ravens.

Franklin Pierce (2-2), a Division II school in New Hampshire, was no match for the Gophers, who went 6-for-7 behind the arc in the first half and raced to a 55-31 lead at the break.