Men’s basketball: Another Gophers offensive slog ends in defeat to Wake Forest

The Gophers men’s basketball team has endured a plodding offense so far this season, but it stopped dead in its tracks at the end of Friday’s game against Wake Forest.

Minnesota managed only one bucket in the final five minutes of a 57-51 loss to the Demon Deacons in the ESPN Events Invitational third-place game in Orlando, Florida.

The U made one of its final eight field goal attempts — a Dawson Garcia jumper with 2:34 remaining — as Wake Forest held a 9-4 advantage to end the game. Two additional free throws couldn’t quite help Minnesota keep pace.

The Gophers went 0-2 in its multi-team event over the Thanksgiving weekend, with a 68-66 overtime loss to Wichita State on Thursday. This mini tournament against a higher level of competition was the U’s best chance this season for better quality nonconference wins, but they head home with nothing to show for it.

Minnesota will need to regroup with Bethune-Cookman coming to Williams Arena on Sunday, and injured guard Mike Mitchell (ankle), who is the U’s best shooter, can’t return soon enough. But fellow guard Brennan Rigsby, who has been the U’s best secondary option, hurt his ankle Friday.

All-Big Ten candidate Dawson Garcia was kept quiet for a second consecutive game. He was limited to only eight points on 3-of-12 shooting after managing only four points while facing increased defensive attention against the Shockers on Thursday.

Guard Lu’Cye Patterson turned in a third straight improved game with 12 points on 6-of-14 shooting, but he went 0 for 5 from 3-point range. He added a team-high four assists.

Besides offensive lulls, Minnesota continues to struggle from the free-throw line. Minnesota shot 40% (6 for 15), while Wake Forest shot 88% (14 of 16). Those eight points proved consequential.