Gophers lose heartbreaker in overtime to Wichita State in Orlando tournament

ORLANDO, FLA. – Gophers coach Ben Johnson planned the Orlando trip over Thanksgiving to showcase his basketball team on a bigger stage at the ESPN Events Invitational, but they had to struggle in crunch time with their best player on the bench.

Dawson Garcia, the third leading scorer in the Big Ten, missed by just four points. The Gophers had a chance to win the game on a Brennan Rigsby three-pointer that just missed as time expired in a 68-66 overtime loss to Wichita State in the opener Thursday afternoon.

Wichita State’s Justin Hill’s free throws with four seconds left were the deciding points in a back-and-forth affair. The Shockers (6-0) escaped a loss in regulation with Harlond Beverly’s three with 1.2 seconds left to tie the game, 57-57.

With just under four minutes left in the overtime period, Garcia appeared to tie the ball up, but he was whistled for his fifth foul. The Gophers (5-2) gave up six straight points in overtime to lose momentum. But Rigsby’s layup and dunk after a steal tied the game 66-66.

The Gophers close out Thanksgiving week with a Friday afternoon game against the winner or loser of Wake Forest vs. Florida in the second opener. They return home to play Sunday against Bethune Cookman.