Sunday, February 5, 2012

The Big Game 2-5-12: Gopher Men, Women Do Their Thing

The Gopher men and women go into today's ball games at 4-6. If either is going to make any noise at all, now would be a good time. In fact, a 2-0 week would be pretty much essential.

The men took care of business down at Nebrasky, the first time that the Gophers (men) have ever played Nebraska in a Big 10 game. They came away with a 69-61 win. It was a bit of a scrum most of the way. Minnesota led 48-42 after 34 minutes of play (for about 2.67 points per minute). Over the final 6 minutes the Huskers out-scored the Gophers 22-21 (about a 7 points per minute rate, or 2.67 more points than previously).

It was 33-32 Nebrasky at the half. The 2 teams traded the lead and/or tied for about 8 minutes of the 2nd half, then the Gophers scored 9 straight to take a 48-39 lead. The biggest lead was 11 at 64-53 and 66-55. Nebraska scored on 9 of their last 13 possessions to keep some pressure on the Gophers, but Minnesota scored on 11-of-13 possessions.

The stats were pretty even, except offensive boards which were 11-7 Minnesota, and 2nd chance points were 15-4 favoring the Gophers. Minnesota also made just 8-of-16 FT overall, and a remarkable 1-of-7 down the stretch.

Chip Armelin was hot during the 2nd half and finished with 15 points and 3 assists.

The Gophers rotation looked like this.

C-Sampson 21 Eliason 17 Ingram 2
PF- Williams 33 Osieneks 7
SF- Coleman 19 Armelin 21
PG- Welch 21 Ahanmisi 18 Austin Hollins 1
SG- Austin Hollins 21 Andre Hollins 16 Armelin 3

The Women...


Well, they couldn't get it done at home. They came back from a 60-55 deficit at 4:43 by scoring 8 straight points (Buford 2, Mastey 2, Mastey 1+1 and Kellogg 2). Penn State hadn't scored for over 4-and-a-half minutes, but got a 3 to tie. Banham hit a pair of throws to make it 65-63 at :50. The Gophers did not score again.

Penn State did, however. Another 3, this one by Alex Bentley, gave the Lions the lead at :38. Banham missed a 2, then the Lions missed a free throw but Mia Nickson grabbed the rebound and made a pair of throws at :21 for the final score of 68-65. The Gophers didn't even get off a shot until :03, a Banham 3 that was off the mark.

Banham scored 14 points, Kiara Buford 13, Kionna Kellogg and Brianna Mastey 11. Buford led the team with 10 boards, 5 assists and 5 steals, but also 6 turnovers.

The Gophers rotation looked like this.

C- Loberg 15 Riche 7 Dvorak 18
PF- Kellogg 34 Riche 5 Mastey 1
SF- Buford 35 Mastey 5
PG- Banham 36 Buford 4
SG- Cotton 10 Noga 22 Mastey 8

Player of the Day

Chip Armelin, Gopher men 15 pts 5 rebounds 3 assists

Coach of the Day

Tubby Smith, Gopher men


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