University of Minnesota Athletics
#16 Minnesota Tops SDSU, 85-73
12/24/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Playing in their final game before Big Ten conference play, #16 Minnesota topped South Dakota State 85-73 at Williams Arena on Dec. 23. Colton Iverson scored 15 points and Rodney Williams had 13 points and six rebounds as the Gophers (11-1) were able to best a pesky Jackrabbit (8-4) team in what was co-captain Al Nolen's first game since injuring his foot against North Dakota State.
Devoe Joseph scored 15 points as well, starting for Nolen who came of the bench and recorded eight points, five rebounds, and two steals in 23 minutes of play. Ralph Sampson had nine points and six rebounds in the win.
Bench scoring proved to be the critical factor in the game, as the Gopher reserves outscored South Dakota State's 36-6.
After falling behind in the first four minutes, South Dakota State rallied to take leads of 17-8 (12:54) and 21-14 (9:44) behind the hot shooting of Nate Wolters. Minnesota answered with a run of its own, outscoring the Jackrabbits 20-8 to finish the half with a 34-29 lead.
The Gophers traded baskets with South Dakota State over the first couple minutes of the second half before the Jackrabbits capped a 16-12 with 15:25 remaining close the gap to just one point. Minnesota would answer back to increase the margin back to six points at 53-47 at the 12 minute mark.
A three-pointer by Clint Sargent four minutes later gave the Jackrabbits the lead at 60-59, but Minnesota would end the game on 26-13 run to put the game out of doubt. A Nolen lay-in with 4:28 left in the game put the Gophers up for good and Minnesota would cruise to the win from that point.
Sargent led the Jackrabbits with 23 points and four rebounds, while Wolters chipped in with 16 of his own.
Thursday's game was the final non-conference game of the season for the Gophers as they gear up for conference schedule. Minnesota will begin the Big Ten season on Tues. Dec. 28 at 7:00 p.m. against the Wisconsin Badgers in Madison.
