Gophers Extend Season with Crazy Last-Second Win Over Butler in Opening Round of NIT Tourney

The Minnesota Gophers men’s basketball team has had a rollercoaster 2023-24 season, in Ben Johnson’s 3rd year as head coach. And that didn’t change in what could have been their finale game, a first-round NIT Tournament matchup on the road vs the Butler Bulldogs.

But this time, the roller coaster came to a stop without the Gophers vomiting up a late lead or victory of any sort. In fact, it was quite the opposite. Minnesota fought from behind for much of the 2nd half, and it was the Gophers who made clutch, winning plays late, to seal a sphincter-tightening 73-72 victory at historic Hinkle Fieldhouse.

Dawson Garcia, Elijah Hawkins lead Minnesota Gophers to NIT win

Let’s jump right to the game-winning play and clutch free throws that followed. After a huge Dawson Garcia drive to the basket brought the Gophers within one point with 22 seconds remaining, Minnesota made a curious decision NOT to foul the Bulldogs immediately.

That seemed to cause some confusion, and ultimately led to a Butler turnover on a heads up play by Parker Fox. Suddenly, the Gophers had a final possession they didn’t expect to have and all chaos broke loose from there. Eventually, an ugly final possession off the forced turnover led to Elijah Hawkins free throws. Of course, he made both, which is what secure Minnesota a one-point lead that they didn’t give back.