University of Minnesota Athletics
GOLDEN GOPHERS HOLD ON TO DOWN MINNESOTA-DULUTH 67-59
11/12/2001 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
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The University of Minnesota men's basketball team struggled throughout, but were finally able to put the Bulldogs of Minnesota-Duluth away, 67-59, tonight at Williams Arena in exibition action.The Golden Gophers only led by two at half-time, 32-30 after shooting 45.2 percent from the field. Despite the Bulldogs' horrible shooting in the first half (33.3 percent), their 10 offensive rebounds and aggressive play kept them in the game.
Early on, it appeared that Minnesota would dominate as senior Dusty Rychart scored 12 of the Golden Gophers' first 14 points. Rychart would end the game with a game-high 17, along with 12 rebounds.
The Bulldogs jumped out early in the second half, building an eight-point lead with 8:40 to play, but successive baskets by Steve Esselink, Kevin Burleson and Rychart got the Golden Gophers within one.
At the 6:20 mark, Rychart's layup gave the Golden Gophers a one-point lead, but a basket by UMD's Ben Raymond put the Bulldogs back in front.
With just over three minutes remaining, the Bulldogs still owned a two-point lead, but the Golden Gophers utilized their superior height in the post to seal the game.
6-10 Jerry Holman snared a pair of offensive rebounds for Minnesota, including one with 1:30 remaining for the victory as he finished with 13 points, seven rebounds and three blocks.
Michael Bauer also had a solid game with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
The Golden Gophers open regular season play this Saturday at 4 p.m. versus Mercer at Williams Arena.
