MINNEAPOLIS -- Jordan Murphy scored a career-high 35 points and grabbed 15 rebounds, Reggie Lynch added 15 points and 10 rebounds and 15th-ranked Minnesota overpowered South Carolina Upstate in the season opener for a 92-77 victory on Friday night.
The Gophers owned a 54-35 rebounding advantage and outscored the Spartans 46-18 in the paint, pulling away right before halftime following a sluggish start. With two-handed slams and soft put-backs, the 6-foot-6 Murphy and 6-foot-11 Lynch gave the Gophers all the production they needed against a wing-heavy Spartans team with no regulars taller than 6-foot-7.