University of Minnesota Athletics
RYCHART LEADS GOLDEN GOPHERS OVER HAWAII PACIFIC
11/25/2000 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Minnesota jumped out to an early 16-8 lead, but then hit a dry spell from the floor and managed to miss nine straight field goal attempts in a span of six minutes midway through the first half. A late spurt toward the end of the first 20 minutes of play gave the Golden Gophers a 13-point halftime lead at 42-29.
The Golden Gophers built a 19 point lead five minutes into the second half (52-33), but the host Sea Warriors began to slowly chip into the Minnesota advantage. Both teams shot the ball exceptionally well in the second half, with HPU hitting for 59 percent (17-29) and the Golden Gophers connecting on 62 percent (16-26). For the game, Minnesota was 32-59 from the field for 54 percent, including 8-for-17 from beyond the three-point arc.
Rychart scored 23 of his 34 points in the second half, with many coming in the latter stages of the game when the Golden Gophers were breaking the Sea Warriors full-court trapping defense. The Grand Rapids, Minn. native was 12-for-15 from the field, including hitting his only three- point try, and a perfect 9-for-9 from the foul line. Rychart also led the team with nine rebounds.
Rychart's performance was only the fifth time since 1990 that a Golden Gopher has scored 30 or more points in a game and is tied for the 17th- best performance in school history.
Senior guard Terrance Simmons (15) and sophomore guard Shane Schilling (13) were also in double figures for Minnesota. Senior forward John- Blair Bickerstaff dished out a Golden Gopher career high 10 assists. Guard Nick Spajic led the Sea Warriors with 16 points and seven rebounds.
Minnesota will now take on TCU, a 111-91 winner over Siena on Friday, in Saturday evening's second semifinal game after the first semifinal contest, at approximately 6:30 p.m. Hawaii Time, 10:30 p.m. Central Time. Georgetown will play College of Charleston in the first semifinal game at 4:30 p.m. Hawaii Time and 8:30 p.m. Central Time.
Box Score
