University of Minnesota Athletics
MINNESOTA DEFEATS MORRIS BROWN IN CLOSE GAME
12/4/2000 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
anDespite dominating more formidable opponents on the road, the Minnesota Golden Gophers play a close came at home against the Morris Brown Wolverines. But in the end, the magic of "The Barn" won out and the Golden Gophers attained a 64-53 win and upped their record to 6-1.
Morris Brown scored first, but the Golden Gophers went on a 11-0 run from the 18:19 mark. The Wolverines didn't score their next points of the game until Minneapolis native Kavon Westberry hit a freethrow at 11:50. Minnesota never let their first half lead dwindle below six points and lead by as many as 17 with 3:51 to go in the half. Morris Brown was able to close the gap slighty and went into the lockerroom trailing the Gophers by 11 at 35-24.
Minnesota came out slow in the second half and Morris Brown was able to close the gap to four points by capitalizing on Golden Gopher turnovers in the first five minutes of the half. From then on the Wolverines were able to keep the game close. Each time the Gophers looked to go ahead by double-digits, Morris Brown had an answer.
It looked as if the Gophers were in trouble with 2:54 remaining in the game, as Akiem Claborn drove through the Minnesota defenders for an easy layup to cap a 6-0 Wolverine run. Senior Terrance Simmons took back control of the game for Minnesota as He drained a crucial three-pointer with two 18 remaining. He followed that with a layup after a steal by Kevin Burleson. Simmons' play sparked the Gophers for the rest of the game and led them to the 64-53 win.
Box Score
Morris Brown scored first, but the Golden Gophers went on a 11-0 run from the 18:19 mark. The Wolverines didn't score their next points of the game until Minneapolis native Kavon Westberry hit a freethrow at 11:50. Minnesota never let their first half lead dwindle below six points and lead by as many as 17 with 3:51 to go in the half. Morris Brown was able to close the gap slighty and went into the lockerroom trailing the Gophers by 11 at 35-24.
Minnesota came out slow in the second half and Morris Brown was able to close the gap to four points by capitalizing on Golden Gopher turnovers in the first five minutes of the half. From then on the Wolverines were able to keep the game close. Each time the Gophers looked to go ahead by double-digits, Morris Brown had an answer.
It looked as if the Gophers were in trouble with 2:54 remaining in the game, as Akiem Claborn drove through the Minnesota defenders for an easy layup to cap a 6-0 Wolverine run. Senior Terrance Simmons took back control of the game for Minnesota as He drained a crucial three-pointer with two 18 remaining. He followed that with a layup after a steal by Kevin Burleson. Simmons' play sparked the Gophers for the rest of the game and led them to the 64-53 win.
Simmons and junior Dusty Rychart led Minnesota with 17 points a piece. Rychart also added eight rebounds. Freshman Michael Bauer had a double-double for the Gophers with 11 points and 12 rebounds. His rebounds were a new career high. Kavon Westberry and Anthony Adams led Morris Brown with 11 points a piece. Akiem Claborn had a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
The Golden Gophers travel to Milwaukee to take on the Marquette Golden Eagles on Thursday. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. on MSC.Box Score
Players Mentioned
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