University of Minnesota Athletics
MINNESOTA MAKES MIRACULOUS COMEBACK TO DEFEAT HOOSIERS
1/21/2001 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Minnesota started the game with hot shooting from the field and owned the eight-point advantage with 8:13 remaining in the half. The scoring effort was boosted by Minnesota's hot three-point shooting. The Gophers were 5-of-7 in the first 12 minutes from behind the three-point arc.
Minnesota went cold and allowed the Hoosiers to go on a 19-6 run to end the half. Indiana headed to the lockerroom with a five point lead at 38-33.
The Indiana run continued into the second half, and they widened the gap to 10 points with 16:33 remaining. The Gophers were determined not to let the game get beyond their reach. The Indiana lead volleyed between nine and 10 points for the next 13 minutes. They gained a 12 point advantage on a Tom Coverdale lay-in with 3:18 remaining.
Just when it looked like time was running low for the Gophers, back-up point guard Kerwin Fleming came up big for his team. After a lay-in by Dusty Rychart, Fleming made three consecutive shots and a free throw to bring Minnesota within five and get "The Barn" rocking with 1:50 remaining. A turnaround jumper by Michael Bauer and two free throws by Travarus Bennett left Minnesota down by only one with 1:07 left. Indiana's Dane Fife made their lead two, after making one of his two free throws with 37 seconds remaining in regulation. Sophomore Shane Schilling hit a running shot from the offense with 25 seconds left to tie the game at 69-69.
The Hoosiers had the first lead in overtime, but Minnesota tied and then gained their first lead since the 4:59 mark in the first half. Indiana tied the game again, but Minnesota went on a 5-1 run to win the game.
Minnesota's Dusty Rychart led all-scorers with 21 points, 17 in the second half, and a season-high 16 rebounds to help the Gophers overcome their largest deficit for a win in the Dan Monson era. Minnesota bench scored 38 points, led by Bauer with 19, which included a 5-of-8 effort from behind the three-point arc. Kerwin Fleming added a career-high 15 points. Senior starter John-Blair Bickerstaff was the fourth Gopher in double figures with 10 points and six assists.
Kirk Haston led Indiana with 17 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks. Kyle Hornsby added 14 points from the bench. Dane Fife and Tom Coverdale each scored 12. Jared Jeffries scored 10 points, including a 6-of-6 effort from the free throw line, and blocked five Minnesota shots.Minnesota, who is undefeated on their home court returns to Williams for the final game of their three game homestand on Wednesday. They will face Iowa at 7 p.m.
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