Nov 25, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers guard Isaac Asuma (1) drives towards the basket as Central Michigan Chippewas guard Jakobi Heady (0) defends during the first half at Williams Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images / Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

The Gophers men’s basketball team doesn’t look at its series of close wins over lower-major competition as flirting with disaster, but rather learning how to win with a new squad at the start of a season.

Dawson Garcia picked up his first double-double of the season, scoring a game-high 22 points and grabbing 11 rebounds in the effort. In five games so far this season, the Gophers (4-1) have had four games decided by four points or fewer. They're 3-1 in those contests.

Lu’Cye Patterson came to life offensively as he and Dawson Garcia combined for 41 points to lead the Gophers to a 68-65 win over Central Michigan. Garcia recorded a double-double with 22 points and 11 rebounds and finally got some offensive help from Patterson who scored 19,