American vs. Minnesota final score: Eagles crushed by Golden Gophers, 72-36

American University started their 2012-13 men's basketball season on the road against a high-major opponent, and Minnesota got the better of the Eagles on Friday night, winning by a score of 72-36.

The Golden Gophers absolutely blitzed AU in the first half, building a 30-point lead as the teams went into the locker room after 20 minutes. At 44-14, the Eagles were effectively out of it before the second half even started. Minnesota wasn't exactly a model of efficiency on the offensive end, but they looked impressive compared to the ugly performance by American.

AU was simply atrocious from the floor, and they never recovered from their 14-point first half. They were overmatched on the interior, as Minnesota cleaned up on the glass and continually got easy buckets in the paint. Austin Hollins led all scorers with 20 points while Rodney Williams added 16 for the Gophers.

John Schoof was the only American player in double figures, scoring 10 points largely on his work at the free throw line. But Schoof, like the rest of his team, was ice cold from the floor. The Eagles shot just 23.7 percent from the field, with only nine made baskets on the evening.

AU will stay on the road for their next game, heading to Connecticut for a contest with Quinnipiac on Monday.