University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Fall To Michigan State, 64-56
3/13/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Minnesota battled hard against top-seeded Michigan State this afternoon in the Big Tournament quarterfinals but came up short in a 64-56 loss to the Spartans. Damian Johnson led Minnesota with 19 points as Minnesota fell to 22-10. The Gophers await their NCAA Tournament fate on Sunday evening.
The Gophers forced 15 turnovers but were unable to overcome a poor free throw shooting effort. Minnesota converted just 13-of-27 attempts. After a strong offensive first half, the Gophers have two five-minute scoring droughts in the second half that were the difference for Michigan State and shot 10-of-29 in the second half.
Devron Bostick had his second strong effort off the bench with 12 points while Lawrence Westbrook added 10. Chris Allen led Michigan State with 17.
Minnesota made an early 9-0 run in the first half to open a 9-3 lead. Westbrook accounted for six of the points during the run including a steal that turned into a fastbreak layup. The Gophers led 19-15 with 12:29 to go after a Paul Carter basket and free throw but the Spartans were able to take the lead at 23-22 on two free throws by Marquise Gray. The Gophers went back up 25-23 on a Devron Bostick turnaround jumper and the teams traded leads four times in the final four minutes. Baskets by Chris Allen and Kalin Lucas in the final minute gave Michigan State a 33-30 halftime lead.
Bostick led Minnesota with eight first half points while Allen had 12 for the Spartans. Minnesota made 10-of-24 field goals (41.7) while Michigan State hit 11-of 25 (44.0).
Michigan State built its first significant lead early in the second half. A 10-0 Spartan run broke open a one-point game. A Raymar Morgan layup with 11:45 on the clock gave MSU a 46-36 edge. Minnesota trimmed the deficit back to six after Bostick hit a fade away jumper and Damian Johnson picked off a Spartan pass and took it for a dunk on the other end. Goran Suton pushed the Spartan lead back to nine with a three at 49-40 with 8:46 remaining. Michigan State built its lead to 12 but Minnesota had one last push in the closing moments. Paul Carter scored and was fouled with 1:42 left to trim the deficit to seven at 58-51. After forcing a Spartan turnover, Damian Johnson drove to the basket and scored to pull to 58-53 with 1:33 to go. The Spartans managed the game well in the final minute to emerge with the win, making 5-of-6 free throws.
Bostick scored in double figures for the second straight game for just the second time this season. He averaged 11.5 points in the tournament.
Johnson was Minnesota's leading scorer in the tournament, averaging 13.5 points. Westbrook averaged 12.0 points and Bostick 11.5. Johnson was Minnesota's leading rebounder at 5.5 rpg in the tournament.
Minnesota shot 40.6 percent from the floor during the Tournament.
Ralph Sampson III led Minnesota in minutes played at 27.5 mpg. He also had a team-high six blocks.
Minnesota is 9-12 all-time in the Big Ten Tournament and 3-4 in the quarterfinals.
Tubby Smith is 31-12 in conference tournament action and 3-2 at Minnesota.
Minnesota is 1-2 against the No. 1 seed in the Big Ten Tournament.
Jamal Abu-Shamala played in his 127th career game as a Gopher, tying him for second all-time with Dan Coleman and Quincy Lewis.
Westbrook scored in double figures for the fourth straight game and the sixth time in the last seven games. He has reached double figures 24 times in 31 games this year.
Johnson scored in double figures for the 15th time this season and the 23rd time in his career.
