Kel’el Ware's 26 points help Indiana cruise past Minnesota

Kel'el Ware had 26 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks to lead Indiana to a 70-58 win at Minnesota on Wednesday in a Big Ten contest.

Mackenzie Mgbako scored 15 points and Trey Galloway added 13 points, 11 assists and five steals for Indiana (17-13, 9-10), which won its third straight game overall and eighth straight against Minnesota.

Indiana shot 54.5% from the field (30 of 55) overall and went 5 of 8 from 3-point range.

Parker Fox, Minnesota's lone sub off the bench, scored 14 points and Mike Mitchell added 13 points in defeat for the Golden Gophers, who shot 38.6% from the field overall (22 of 57), 19.2% from 3-point range (5 of 26) and committed 18 turnovers.

Minnesota has lost three of its last four games.

Indiana made four of its first six shots from 3-point range in the second half and built a 59-40 lead, but consecutive 3-pointers by Mitchell and Cam Christie brought Minnesota to within 59-46 with 5:05 remaining in the game.

But Indiana stopped any momentum from Minnesota there, going back up by 19 at 67-48 with 2:08 left after a basket by Galloway to all but wrap up the game.

Indiana held a 30-25 lead at halftime, and then stretched its lead to 41-30 with 13:27 remaining in the game after a basket by Ware that forced a Minnesota timeout.

The Hoosiers continued to expand their lead, going up 47-32 with 11:40 left after a 3-pointer by Mgbako.

Malik Reneau then hit a pair of free throws with 6:40 remaining to give Indiana a 59-40 lead.

Minnesota held a 23-18 lead with 7:52 remaining in the first half before Indiana found some rhythm.

The Hoosiers answered with a 10-0 run over the next 3:21 to take a 28-23 lead with 4:31 left until halftime.