Bauer Powers Minnesota to 104-66 Win Over Fairleigh Dickinson

Box Score

Minnesota (6-1) got a career-high 26 points from Michael Bauer en route to a 104-66 win over Fairleigh Dickinson (4-2) this evening at Williams Arena. The Golden Gophers shot a season-best 55.7 percent from the field and hit 14 three-pointers in the victory.

Bauer had a perfect night from the field, hitting 8-of-8 field goals, including 6-for-6 from three-point range. His six treys are the second-best game total in school history.

Minnesota led 11-7 five minutes into the game but the Gophers went on a 28-14 run to take a 39-21 lead with 5:30 left in the half. Bauer scored 14 in the half as Minnesota eventually took a 50-31 lead at the break. Minnesota shot 58 percent from the floor in the half.

The Golden Gophers continued to dominate in the second half, leading by as many as 40 points. Minnesota posted its top rebounding effort of the season, beating the Knights 49-27 on the boards.

Ben Johnson added 16 points for Minnesota, including a team- high four three-pointers. Maurice Hargrow also scored 12 points. Jeff Hagen had a career-best seven rebounds to lead the team.

Lionel Bomayako scored 11 points to lead Fairleigh Dickinson. Matt Hammond added 10 points.

Minnesota returns to action December 22 at Oregon. The game is slated for a 2 p.m. CST time start.

Post-Game Notes
Minnesota is 36-9 in non-conference games under Dan Monson...The Golden Gophers are 30-3 in non-conference games at Williams Arena under Monson...Minnesota has won nine straight home regular season non-conference games...This was the first meeting between Fairleigh Dickinson and Minnesota. Minnesota is 3-0 all-time against the Northeast Conference...Minnesota reached the 100-point mark for the first time since defeating TCU 107-99 on 11/25/00...Minnesota's 14 three-point field goals is tied for the second-most in school history. The record is 16 at Michigan State on 2/11/02...Minnesota shot 60.9 percent (14-23) from three-point range, the fourth-best percentage in school history...Minnesota's 38-point win is the largest margin of victory since defeating Maryland-Eastern Shore by 47 on 12/13/01 (95- 48)...Ben Johnson notched double figure scoring for the second straight game and the third time as a Golden Gopher...Johnson hit a career-high four three-point field goals...Stan Gaines made his first career three- point field goal in the first half...Gaines had a career-high seven points and played a career-high 19 minutes...Michael Bauer scored a career-high 26 points. He also was a perfect 8-8 from the field. It marks Bauer's second career perfect shooting night. He was 6-for-6 against Northwestern last season (2/13/02)...Bauer hit a career-best 6-of-6 from three-point range. His six treys are tied for the second-most in school history. Terrance Simmons hit seven three-pointers against Michigan State in 2001...Bauer scored in double figures for the fourth straight game, the sixth time in seven games this season and the 38th time in his career...Maurice Hargrow has reached double figure points in all seven games this season and eight times in his career...Jeff Hagen had a career-high seven rebounds to lead the team...Steve Esselink scored in double figures for the second time in his career. He was one shy of his career-high of 12 set on 12/13/01 against Maryland-Easterrn Shore...Minnesota tied a season-high with 50 first half points (scored 50 vs. UNC Asheville in season opener)...With nine blocks tonight, Minnesota has blocked at least eight in every game this season...Minnesota set season-bests for points (104), rebounds (49), field goal percentage (.557), assists (24) and three-pointers (14).

Minnesota Forward Michael Bauer
"Our defense gave us a lot of easy scoring chances tonight. Anytime you are able to create your offense from your defense you are going to have the opportunity to score a lot of points. That happened for us tonight."

"I didn't realize how well I was shooting until I made my fifth three pointer, Then I hit my sixth, and that got me pretty psyched. The whole crowd was feeding off my energy and it felt unbelievable. It's a shame I missed one free throw."

Minnesota Guard Kevin Burleson
"We really wanted to have a good game today and play well so that we had something to build off of going to Oregon. I feel that we were able to work out some kinks that have been hurting us, and this team is closer to being where we need to be for Oregon."

"This victory gives us a lot of confidence going into Oregon. I think we match up well with them and this team wants to prove that it can win on the road. We know that the Nebraska game wasn't who we really are."

Dan Monson - Head Coach for Minnesota
"This was a good game for us in the standpoint that we were able to give quality playing time for some of the guys who usually do not see it. I am pleased with the effort that we showed tonight. We set five goals for this game and I feel that we accomplished all five of them. We kept them to one rebound in the second half."

"With a game like this we are able to give guys like Jeff Hagen and Aaron Robinson quality playing time so that they can get into the rhythm of shooting. Hopefully tonight's game added to their confidence level and we will see more shooting from them. It's important for us to build from this win, as we get ready for Oregon. This will definitely be a big week for us to improve."

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