University of Minnesota Athletics
MBB: Gophers Drop Nebraska 57-48 With Late Surge
12/8/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Trailing 26-17 at the half, the Gophers came out with renewed energy in the second stanza. After a stagnant first half, Aaron Robinson lit the match for Minnesota in the opening minutes of the half with two three-pointers to cut the Husker lead to 28-25 with 15:36 remaining. After Nebraska went back up five, the Gophers used a 7-0 run capped by another Robinson trey to take their first lead since early in the first half at 36-34. Jake Muhleisen halted the run with a driving layup.
The Huskers appeared to regain control of the game with a mini 5-0 run to take a 45-40 lead with 4:29 on the clock. That wasn't the case as Minnesota held the Huskers without a field goal the rest of the way. J'son Stamper converted a three- point play with 3:52 on the clock that started the overwhelming run to end the game. Hagen converted another basket and was fouled almost a minute later and made the free throw giving the Gophers the lead at 46-45. Nebraska failed to convert on the other end and Grier drilled consecutive treys to push the Gophers up 52-45 with under a minute remaining. Minnesota iced the game by making 5-of-6 from the line down the stretch.
The Gophers intensity on defense and rebounding made the difference. They shut down Nebraska in the second half, limiting them to 28 percent shooting on 8-of-29. Minnesota shot 52 percent in the half on 11-of-21. However, after being pounded on the glass in the first half, the Gophers owned the boards in the second frame, 25-12.
The victory snapped a 16-game home non-conference winning streak for the Huskers and ended a two-game losing streak in the series.
The first half wasn't promising for the Gophers on the offensive end. They made just eight field goals and turned the ball over eight times. However, the Gophers' defensive intensity kept them in the game. The game remained scoreless until the 14:37 mark when Jason Dourisseau made a layup for Nebraska. Grier answered with a three to give Minnesota its only lead until late in the second half. After Hagen scored with 12:53 on the clock, Nebraska went on a 13-0 run to take a 19-5 lead with 8:49 remaining. Dan Coleman hit a 15-foot jumper to kill the run and the Gophers began to recover offensively. Another Coleman jumped with 13 seconds left in the half trimmed the halftime score to 26-17.
Grier led the Gophers with 17 points and eight rebounds. He went the distance, logging all 40 minutes for the second straight game. Hagen chipped in with 11 points and nine rebounds in a career-high 34 minutes. Robinson finished with nine points and Coleman had eight.
Marcus Neal had a team-high 10 points for Nebraska.
The Gophers return to action at Williams Arena on Saturday afternoon against Central Michigan. The game is set for a noon tip-off. The tilt starts an eight-game homestand for Minnesota.
POST-GAME NOTES
Minnesota ended a seven-game regular season non-conference road losing streak. It's last win was at Marquette on Dec. 7, 2000.
The Gophers ended a two-game skid to Nebraska. Minnesota leads the all-time series 49-15 (including vacated games).
Minnesota snapped Nebraska's 16-game home non-conference win streak.
Monson evened his record against Nebraska at 3-3. The non-conference foes have played every year since 1995.
Vincent Grier has been Minnesota's leading scorer in six of the seven games this season.
Over the last two games, Minnesota's opponents (Holy Cross/Nebraska) have shot just 41-118 (34.7%).
Jeff Hagen had a season-high for nine rebounds. Grier had a career-best eight boards.
Hagen played a career-high 34 minutes. He also scored in double figures for the fifth time this season and the 10th time in his career.
Minnesota's +9 advantage on the boards is its largest of the season.
Grier has logged a full 40 minutes in each of the last two games, both Minnesota victories.
Aaron Robinson notched his 200th career point in the game.
