MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Trevor Mbakwe had 11 points, 11 rebounds and two blocks for Minnesota in a 78-72 exhibition victory Monday night over Division II Winona State.

The Warriors, who were national champions in 2006 and 2008 and ranked ninth in the preseason coaches’ poll, beat the Gophers here in an exhibition four years ago and came close again despite trailing by 18 points after halftime.

Ex-Iowa guard Anthony Tucker, a Twin Cities native and one of four former Division I players on the Warriors’ roster, scored 24 points. His 3-pointer with just under a minute left brought Winona State within 73-68. Jon Walburg added 22 points for Winona State.

Mbakwe gives the Gophers much-needed strength and athleticism in the paint, but his free throw shooting needs work as he went 5 for 12. Rodney Williams gave the a crowd a couple of thrills with powerful dunks and finished with 12 points for the Gophers, who turned the ball over 23 times.

“I think we let up a little bit. Of course Winona’s a really good team. They have great tradition,” said point guard Al Nolen, who finished with 10 points, seven rebounds and four steals.

The Warriors lured a loud contingent of fans to make the two-hour drive to Williams Arena. Never mind that this game didn’t count on their record. They wanted badly to win against the state’s only Division I school.

“I thought we battled to the end. We left it out there on the floor,” Warriors coach Mike Leaf said.

The Gophers played without guard Devoe Joseph, their second-leading scorer from last season, and coach Tubby Smith said he’s not sure if he will play in the season opener against Wofford on Friday.

Smith said he didn’t think it would be wise to play Joseph, who has a minor leg muscle pull, but the coach also said he will speak with the junior in the next few days about his status. Smith said he couldn’t say if the situation was about academics.