MINNEAPOLIS — Javan Johnson scored 20 points, Eral Penn added a double-double and DePaul cruised past Minnesota 69-53 on Monday night.
Johnson knocked down 7 of 15 shots for DePaul (3-0) and added eight rebounds. Penn scored 10 points and grabbed 14 rebounds as the Blue Demons controlled the glass 48-32.
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Umoja Gibson scored nine of his 14 points in the first half to help DePaul take a 34-22 lead at intermission. Philmon Gebrewhit scored 15, and Gibson handed out eight assists.
Dawson Garcia topped Minnesota (2-1) with 19 points and six rebounds. Pharrel Payne scored 12, and Ta’lon Cooper had 10 points and six assists.
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The Golden Gophers, who start three underclassmen, shot just 33.3% on their home floor and made only 4 of 16 from 3-point range. DePaul shot 43.8% overall and hit 7 of 19 from long distance (36.8%).
The Blue Demons have won five of the last six matchups with Minnesota and lead the all-time series 11-8.