Gophers Lose To #8 Louisville In ‘Battle Of The Pitinos’

AGUADILLA, Puerto Rico -- The University of Minnesota Golden Gophers men's basketball team could not recover from a 13-point first half deficit, losing to the #8 Louisville Cardinals, 81-68.

The game was played at the U.S. Coast Guard Air Station as part of the NCAA's Armed Forces Classic and featured a match up of Minnesota coach Richard Pitino against his father, Rick, who is the legendary coach of Louisville.

On the court, the Gophers could not stop Louisville forward Montrezl Harrell, who shot 9-for-12 from the field and finished with a game-high 30 points.

Complementing Harrell was Cardinals guard Terry Rozier, who finished with 18 points.

The Gophers were led by senior guard Andre Hollins, who finished with 22 points and was their only consistent offensive force in the game.

With the loss, the Gophers open the 2014-2015 season at 0-1 and will play host to the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers on Tuesday night at The Barn.