Maverick Ahanmisi scored a career-high 21 points, and Minnesota moved on in the National Invitation Tournament with an 88-81 victory over High Point on Tuesday night.

Joey King had 14 points and seven rebounds, Mo Walker and Andre Hollins each pitched in 13 points and the Gophers (21-13), the top seed in their quadrant. They will host a second-round game against either Utah or St. Mary’s.

Austin Hollins hit a 3-pointer to stretch Minnesota’s lead to 47-32 early in the second half, but High Point pushed back with Gophers point guard DeAndre Mathieu out because of a lower-body injury and pulled within 60-55 inside the 8-minute mark. Mathieu was hurt early in the game after a hard foul on his way to the hoop. He played a little bit after that but was pulled for good after halftime.