CINCINNATI, OHIO - NOVEMBER 9: Bobby Durkin #3 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers celebrates with teammates after making a three-pointer to take the lead against the Cincinnati Bearcats during the second half at Fifth Third Arena on November 9, 2026 in ((Photo by Tanner Pearson/Getty Images))
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - The University of Minnesota men’s basketball season is only three games old, but they might have gotten their biggest non-conference win under Niko Medved Monday night.
Gophers beat Cincinnati on buzzer beater
The backstory:
With the Gophers down 61-60 and about eight seconds left in regulation, Cincinnati missed the front end of a 1-and-1. Minnesota got the rebound, Isaac Asuma found Bobby Durkin, and he did the rest.
Durkin hit a pull-up 3-pointer with a perfect swish, giving the Gophers a 63-61 lead with 0.4 seconds remaining. The Bearcats’ final shot came up well short, giving the Gophers a big early non-conference road win for a potential NCAA Tournament profile.
It was a bright spot in an otherwise rough night for Durkin, who had just five points on 2-for-7 shooting. It was his only made 3-pointer of the night.
The team celebrated in the locker room after, dumping water on the sharp-shooter.
Kyan Evans shines
Why you should care:
Kyan Evans played for Niko Medved two seasons ago at Colorado State. He transferred to the Gophers this past offseason to play for Medved after one year at North Carolina.
Evans was the offensive star Monday night, with 26 points on 11-of-19 shooting. He added 10 rebounds and five assists.
Southern University next
What's next:
Monday night might have been the Gophers’ toughest non-conference opponent, and their only true road game before Big Ten play.
They’re back home at The Barn Thursday night, hosting Southern.