University of Minnesota Athletics
GOLDEN GOPHERS FALL TO TEXAS TECH, 80-60
12/30/2001 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Senior Dusty Rychart led the Golden Gophers with 20 points, as Minnesota fell to Texas Tech (10-1) 80-60 Sunday afternoon in Lubbock, Texas.
In the game, Rychart became the 31st Golden Gopher in school history to score 1,000 career points (1,013 points). The native of Grand Rapids, Minn., moved into 28th on the school's all-time scoring list, passing Larry Mikan (1,007, 1967-70), Dick Garmaker (1,008, 1953-55) and Jim Brewer (1,009, 1968-71). Eric Hill is next on the list with 1,057 points from 1968-71.
Minnesota (7-4) held a 12-point advantage with 7:20 remaining in the first half at 29-17, following a Rychart jumper, but the Red Raiders went on a 13-0 run to reclaim the lead. A pair of three-pointers by Travarus Bennett late in the half aided the Gopher cause as they went into intermission tied. Bennett ended the game with 15 points and 10 rebounds.
In the second half with Minnesota leading 46-44, the Red Raiders went on a 16-2 run to take a 60-48 advantage. The run was ended by a pair of Rychart free throws, but the Gophers were unable to recover.
The Golden Gophers were short-handed going into the ball game, as guard Kerwin Fleming didn't play due to back spasms. Minnesota also found its bench depleted due to foul trouble as four Golden Gophers fouled out.
Andre Emmett scored 20 points and Pawell Storozynski had a double- double for Texas Tech as the Red Raiders notched their seventh straight win.
Minnesota opens Big Ten conference play Wednesday when they travel to Illinois to take on the seventh-ranked Fighting Illini. The game will be seen locally on KSTC Channel 45 at 7 p.m.
