University of Minnesota Athletics
GOLDEN GOPHERS DROP HEARTBREAKER IN OVERTIME IN BELGIUM
8/26/1999 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
"This was an excellent game for us," Head Coach Dan Monson said. "We competed at our highest level of this tour and showed excellent character by rallying to tie the game with Joel on the bench. We will never accept losing, but tonight we got beat. When we get all of our players together during the regular season, and compete with this intensity, we will have success."
Minnesota was led in scoring by Ohnstad, who had 18 points and three steals, followed by Rychart who posted a double-double with 17 points and 13 rebounds. Terrance Simmons had 14 points, all in the second half and overtime and also dished out five assists. Kevin Nathaniel had 10 points and five steals as Minnesota posted 13 steals against 10 turnovers. The Golden Gophers shot 49 percent (29-59) from the field, but just 2-13 from three-point range. The Golden Gophers were 18-31 from the free throw line, but were 12-18 in the second half and overtime.
The Belgian team featured five former collegiate players, led by Jamal Terry of Northwest Louisiana, who tallied 27 points to lead all scorers. Jim Potter of Idaho State scored 19 points and Melvin McCants of Purdue scored 12 points with 10 rebounds.
Minnesota is averaging 79.0 points per game for the tour, but is giving up an average of 91.3 points. Ohnstad leads the team in scoring on the tour at 11.0 per game. Przybilla is averaging 9.3 points followed by Nathaniel at 8.9 points and Simmons at 8.8 per game. Rychart is averaging 7.8 points and 9.0 rebounds per game. Tonight's game marked the first of three games around the Belgium area. The team will return home to the Twin Cities via Amsterdam on Sunday.
