Minnesota 78, Miami 60: Rodney Williams scored 21 points on 9-of-10 shooting to lead the Golden Gophers past the host Hurricanes in the second round of the NIT.

Joe Coleman and Andre Hollins scored 14 points apiece and Julian Welch added 13 as sixth-seeded Minnesota (21-14) advances to meet Middle Tennessee in the quarterfinals.

Rion Brown scored 14 points and Reggie Johnson added 10 points for second-seeded Miami (20-13).

Minnesota shot 59.6 percent from the field and led by double digits most of the contest.

The Gophers led by 10 early in the second half before using a 15-2 surge to take a 56-33 lead on Andre Ingram’s follow with 12:19 to play.

Miami shot just 34.4 percent and missed its first 14 3-point attempts in going 4 of 25 behind the arc. Minnesota outrebounded the Hurricanes 37-19.

Williams scored eight quick points as Minnesota jumped out to a 12-0 lead. The Hurricanes responded with 11 consecutive points but the Gophers again pulled away with a 12-2 run to take a 26-15 lead with 4:45 remaining. Minnesota led 35-23 at halftime.

Welch was 4-of-4 from 3-point range.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Williams is the first Minnesota player with three consecutive 20-point outings since Dan Coleman during the 2007-08 season … Miami played without leading scorer Durand Scott, who is serving a suspension for receiving impermissible benefits … Gophers forward Ralph Sampson III (knee) didn’t play … Hurricanes guard Malcolm Grant had two points on 1-of-8 shooting in his final collegiate game.