Dawson Garcia sealed Minnesota basketball history when he scored the logo-spotter from near court at the end, as the Golden Gophers stunned themselves as well as all their opponents at the Hub to an overtime, 85-82 win against Northwestern on Tuesday night.
The game has been a rollercoaster from start to finish, both teams giving up and getting back momentum swings and big plays. Minnesota entered into the contest as an underdog but showed resilience throughout with battling back from a 10-point deficit in the second half to force overtime.
Garcia, Minnesota’s star forward, had already played a game of his life, scoring and leading the team. But his final act—a deep 3-pointer from the logo as the overtime clock expired—will be remembered as one of the most iconic moments in Golden Gophers history.
In the waning seconds of overtime with the game knotted at 82, Minnesota had one last possession to get the win. Garcia received the inbound pass, just a few seconds left in the game, near midcourt. Under pressure from a defender, he took two dribbles and launched a shot from the logo as the buzzer sounded.
The ball arced perfectly through the air before swishing through the net, and it ignited a wild celebration on the court and in the stands. Garcia’s teammates mobbed him as fans erupted in cheers celebrating the improbable victory.
Garcia ended with 27 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists and was thus in the leading end of the Golden Gophers. He has taken clutch shooting from the start in the second half of the overtime when Minnesota fought the determined opponent off.
Minnesota also drew their support in some of its reserves, which showed a solid backup for the night. Guard Jamison Battle put on 18 and forward Pharrel Payne with 12 and 9 rebounds.
Minnesota head coach Ben Johnson praised the resilience and composure of his team, particularly Garcia. “Dawson is a special player,” Johnson said. “That shot will be remembered for a long time, but it’s his leadership and effort throughout the game that made the difference.
The victory was a crucial one for Minnesota, providing a morale boost as the team looks to climb the conference standings. The win also highlighted the Golden Gophers’ ability to perform under pressure, a promising sign for their postseason aspirations.
Dawson Garcia’s buzzer-beater from the logo will go down as one of the most iconic moments in Minnesota basketball history. The thrilling overtime win showed that the team could be resilient and deliver under pressure. Going forward into the season, Garcia’s unforgettable shot will be a rallying point for his teammates and fans to believe in the extraordinary.
