The University of Minnesota men's basketball team ended its season by falling to Texas Tech, 71-61, in the third place game of the NIT in New York City. The Gophers finish the season with a 19-14 record, the most victories under head coach Dan Monson.

The Red Raiders jumped out to a 19 point lead after an Andre Emmett dunk with four minutes left in the first half. The Golden Gophers held Texas Tech scoreless for the rest of the half and trailed 37-24 at the break.

Minnesota cut the lead to four points with 10:52 left in the game on a Stan Gaines steal and layup. The Gophers kept battling and tied the score at 54 with 5:32 left after an 8-0 run highlighted by a Rick Rickert three-pointer, followed by a Michael Bauer trifecta and a Rickert layup.

Emmett scored the next five points of the game on a baseline jumper and a three-point play with 3:42 left. Jerry Holman's two free throws closed the gap to 58-56 with 3:30 remaining. But the Red Raiders closed the game on a 13-5 run, making 7-of-8 free throws down the stretch.

Bauer led the Gophers with 14 points, hitting 3-of-6 shots from behind the arc. Emmett led all scorers with 23 points, going 11-of-17 from the field.