University of Minnesota Athletics
Minnesota's Rally Falls Short at #7 MSU
1/14/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Minnesota and #7 Michigan State entered Wednesday night's game as the top two scoring offenses in the Big Ten Conference, with each team averaging just under 80 points per game for the season. But instead of the offensive battle many were expecting, the game turned out to be a half-court, defensive struggle, eventually won by the Spartans, 60-53.
Throughout much of the opening half, Minnesota was able to stay right with the Spartans by beating MSU at one of its greatest strengths -- rebounding. Just five minutes into the contest, the Gophers had already grabbed four rebounds on the offensive end of the floor, which helped to offset a cold start shooting the ball for Minnesota. With 12:25 remaining in the half, the Gophers had made just two-of-15 field goals, but only trailed 11-5.
Minnesota responded with an 8-0 run over the next 3:36, getting a layup by senior forward Damian Johnson, a dunk by sophomore forward Ralph Sampson III, and a three-pointer by junior guard Al Nolen to take a 13-11 lead. After another jumper by Nolen, a layup by Johnson, and a pair of free throws by sophomore center Colton Iverson, Minnesota held its largest lead of the night, 19-15, with 6:18 remaining.
But Michigan State (14-3, 4-0 Big Ten) closed the half with an 18-6 run, making three treys and coming up with a pair of dunks during the stretch, to take a 33-25 lead into the lockerroom.
In the second half, Michigan State stretched its lead to 11 points (40-29) with 15:49 remaining, but the Gophers kept battling, using a layup by Johnson followed by 10 straight points from senior guard Lawrence Westbrook to cut it to 48-41 at the 10:52 mark.
After a free throw by the Spartans' Delvon Roe put MSU up eight, 49-41, Minnesota continued its run with Johnson tallying eight-straight points, punctuated by a powerful two-handed breakaway dunk, to get within two points at 51-49. But Michigan State responded to hold on to its lead, with Chris Allen scoring the next five points for the Spartans, and Minnesota's rally ran out of gas.
Westbrook led the Gophers in scoring with 15 points, including 12 in the second half, while Johnson scored 10 points after halftime to finish with 14 points, six rebounds, and four blocked shots. Nolen scored nine points, all of which came in the first half, and Sampson added eight points in his first start since injuring his ankle during practice on Dec. 30.
All five Minnesota starters had at least five rebounds in the game, as the Gophers finished tied with the Spartans on the boards at 37 apiece. Michigan State entered the game ranked second nationally in rebound margin at +14 per game.
Last year's Big Ten Player of the Year, Michigan State guard Kalin Lucas, was limited to just three-of-14 shooting in the game, but two of his field goals were treys, and he was six-for-six at the free throw line to finish with a team-high 14 points for the Spartans. Durrell Summers came off the bench to score 13 points and grab a game-high eight rebounds, while Raymar Morgan finished with eight points.
As a team, Minnesota made 22-of-54 (.407) field goals, but just 4-of-12 (.333) three-point attempts, and 5-of-7 (.714) free throws. Michigan State was held to 21-of-58 (.362) field goals, including just eight-of-28 (.286) in the second half. But the Spartans were good on 13-of-21 attempts at the free throw line to outscore the Gophers by eight points in a seven-point game.
Minnesota will return to the road this weekend when it travels to Bloomington, Ind., for a game against the Indiana Hoosiers on Sunday afternoon. Game time is set for 3:30 p.m., and it will be televised by the Big Ten Network.
