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Gophers hold off Missouri State to reach Puerto Rico semifinals

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico -- A berth in the consolation championship of the Puerto Rico Tip-Off tournament seemed to be a sure thing when the Gophers opened the second half with an 18-point lead Friday morning against Missouri State.

But it wasn't going to be that easy.

The theme for the University of Minnesota basketball team this season so far has been giving up leads. It happened for the third time in four games Friday, but the Gophers held on for a 74-69 victory.

Joey King was scorching in the first half, hitting five straight three-pointers to score 15 of his team-high 18 points.