University of Minnesota Athletics
Minnesota Hangs On for 62-60 Win at Illinois
2/28/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Minnesota limited Illinois to 14 points in the first half Saturday, then built a 19-point lead with 7:11 left in the game, before the Illini rallied to within one point in the final minutes. But the Gophers were able to withstand the surge, escaping Assembly Hall with a hard-fought 62-60 win, the Gophers' first victory in Champaign, Ill., since February 16, 1978. Minnesota did win at Illinois during the 1995-96 season, but that result was vacated.
Sophomore guard Devoe Joseph, who missed what would have been a game-winning jumper as time expired versus #3 Purdue on Wednesday night, scored 16 second-half points to lead the Gophers. Senior guard Lawrence Westbrook and junior forward Paul Carter each scored 10 points for Minnesota, which improves to 17-11 overall and 8-8 in the Big Ten to keep its NCAA Tournament hopes alive.
The game started slowly, as the game was tied at 2-2 until Westbrook drove inside for a three-point play to put Minnesota up 5-2 at the 13:43 mark. The Gophers built a 10-point lead, 18-8, on a layup by sophomore center Colton Iverson, junior guard Blake Hoffarber's lone three-pointer of the game, and a layup off the inbounds pass by freshman forward Rodney Williams.
At halftime, Minnesota led 24-14 thanks to a zone defense that held Illinois to just 7-of-31 (.226) field goals, including 0-of-11 from long-range. The Gophers spread their scoring around in the first half, with four players leading the team with four points.
Illinois (18-11, 10-6) tried to rally early in the second half, with forward Bill Cole knocking down three treys in the opening minutes, which cut Minnesota's lead to as few as six points. But Joseph was able to match Cole and the Illini, scoring eight of Minnesota's first nine points after the break to keep the Gophers comfortably in the lead.
As mentioned earlier, Minnesota's advantage grew to as many as 19 points, 51-32, with 7:11 remaining. But Illinois, which rallied from a 23-point deficit to defeat Clemson earlier this season, then went on a 26-8 run to cut it to one point, 59-58, with just 1:24 left.
Minnesota held on, though, as sophomore forward Ralph Sampson III made a great pass to Carter for a dunk to put the Gophers up 61-58 with 0:32 on the clock, and Joseph made a free throw to give Minnesota a four-point lead with 0:22 left.
The Illini were led by Cole's 15 points, while Mike Davis had 10 points and 12 rebounds, and D.J. Richardson also finished with 10 points. But Illinois managed to make just 23-of-72 (.319) field goals, including just 9-of-36 (.250) three-pointers.
Minnesota will now prepare for Tuesday night's road game at Michigan. The Wolverines defeated the Gophers, 71-63, at Williams Arena on Feb. 11. Tuesday's game is set to tipoff at 6:00 p.m. (Central) and will be televised live on the Big Ten Network.
