The Spartans (7-2) got 43 points off the bench, including Coen Carr’s team-high 12 points. They also scored 27 fast-break points.
The Gophers got a taste of how tough Big Ten play would be when they lost to Wichita State and Wake Forest in Orlando. Both opponents were bigger and more physical than earlier foes at home. They also threw everything they had at shutting down Garcia — and it worked.
The 6-11 senior scored only 12 points combined in Orlando when he faced constant double and triple teams. Not much help came to pull defenders away with three-point shooting or another inside presence. That was a sign of things to come Wednesday until Mitchell’s shooting barrage.
Mitchell made his first appearance since suffering a high ankle sprain on Nov. 9 against Nebraska Omaha. After missing seven games, the senior guard was rusty early, but hit three of his five three-pointers in the second half, including twice to get within 11 points. But the Gophers only shot 9-for-28 from three.
Mitchell’s return should give the Gophers a chance to generate more offense other than Garcia, who is the only player averaging double figures this season at 19.1.
Coming off a career-best 19-point performance in an overtime win against No. 12 North Carolina, Holloman continued to make an impact for Michigan State in his homecoming this season Wednesday.