University of Minnesota Athletics
Michigan State Puts Away Men's Basketball Down The Stretch
2/14/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Leading by one at 27-26 late in the first half, the Gophers went on a 12-5 run to end the half. Brent Lawson got the run started on a driving baseline layup to lead 29-26. Lawson then made a steal on the other end and dished to Kris Humphries for a fast break dunk. Humphries nailed a jumper on the next possession to give Minnesota a 33-26 lead. Humphries eventually gave Minnesota a 37-30 lead on a fast break layup and was fouled. He converted the three-point play. Adam Boone added a fall away jumper to give the Gophers a 39-30 lead at halftime.
Michigan State quickly got back into the game on three-pointers by Chris Hill and Kelvin Torbert and a layup by Hill to trail 41-39. Ben Johnson and Humphries added baskets to put the Gophers back up 45-39 with 16:49 to go but another Hill three and an Alan Anderson runner tied the game at 45-45. Minnesota went back up four points at 51-47 when Humphries beat the shot clock with a 20-foot jumper with 10:18 left in the game. However, the Gophers would only manage one field goal the remainder of the game.
An 11-2 run that included a series of dunks by Paul Davis put the Spartans ahead 58-53 with 6:53 left. Stan Gaines trimmed the deficit back to three on the ensuing possession with a driving layup but the foul trouble started to hinder the Gophers efforts. Jeff Hagen fouled out at the 5:18 mark and Gaines at 3:53 and Minnesota managed just three free throws the rest of the way. Michigan State made its last nine attempts from the line to put the game away.
The Gophers appeared to be in trouble from the opening tip, falling behind 7- 0. Their first four possessions resulted in three turnovers and a blocked shot. However, Minnesota gained confidence and took its first lead at 15-13 on an Aaron Robinson layup.
Minnesota shot 46 percent for the game (18-39) while Michigan State shot 51 percent (21-41). The Gophers turned the ball over 20 times as the Spartans recorded a season-high 15 steals.
Humphries led Minnesota with 17 points while Johnson added 14. Chris Hill led Michigan State with 20 while Shannon Brown added 13 and Maurice Ager 11.
Minnesota returns to the road on Wednesday for an evening tilt with Indiana.
