University of Minnesota Athletics
Michigan State Defeats Gophers 70-46
1/25/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Michigan State defeated Minnesota 70-46 this evening at the Breslin Center in East Lansing, Mich. The Gophers, who got 13 points apiece from Lawrence McKenzie and Dan Coleman, fell to 7-13, 1-5 in the Big Ten. The Spartans improved to 17-4 and 4-2 in Big Ten play. The Gophers were unable to sustain a consistent offensive game and shot just 31 percent in the loss.
Four days after firing a blistering 68 percent from the field in a blowout win over Penn State on Saturday, Michigan State sustained the offensive momentum and shot 51 percent on 29-of-57 percent from the floor. The Spartans also owned a 38-24 edge on the boards.
The Gophers got off to a quick start against the Spartans, taking an 7-4 lead on jumpers by McKenzie and Coleman. Michigan State scored the next four to lead 8-7 but Coleman answered with another jumper and Minnesota led 9-8 with 14:19 on the clock. Unfortunately, that would be the last Gopher lead. MSU went on a 12-2 run to lead 20-11 before Coleman made a leaner with 10:57 left to cut the Spartan lead to 20-13. The Spartans scored the next four but Kevin Payton made a free throw and McKenzie drained a three-pointer to pull Minnesota back within seven at 24-17. Michigan State kept the foot on the gas pedal, going on a 13-0 run to take a commanding 20-point lead of 37-17 before Jamal Abu-Shamala ended the Gopher slide with two free throws with 1:59 left. The Spartans ended up taking a 40-20 lead into the lockerroom at halftime.
The Gophers, after starting the half 7-of-15 from the floor, missed their final eight shots and made just 30 percent for the half (7-23). Coleman and McKenzie accounted for 14 of Minnesota's 20 points while MSU shot 57 percent (16-28). Drew Neitzel scored 11 for the Spartans.
Michigan State kept the momentum to start the second half, taking a 56-27 lead before the Gophers scored their first field goal of the half with 15:27 on the clock on a Coleman three-pointer. Three-pointers by Abu-Shamala and McKenzie trimmed the Spartan lead to 24 at 63-39 and another Abu-Shamala trey with 6:17 left made the score 65-42 but Minnesota could not nudge any closer the rest of the game.
Raymar Morgan led MSU with a game-high 14 poiints while Neitzel finished with 13 and Goran Suton added 10. Abu-Shamala finished with 11 points for the Gophers.
Minnesota faces Penn State on Saturday at Williams Arena. The game tips at 11:15 a.m.
