University of Minnesota Athletics
Fast Break: South Dakota
12/5/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
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BORDER BATTLE: THE WESTERN ONE
Today's game against South Dakota was Minnesota's first against the Coyotes since a 66-57 victory on Nov. 30, 1985, and it's the first of two games against teams from the Mount Rushmore State over the next four days. The Gophers play host to South Dakota State on Tuesday, Dec. 8. Minnesota now leads the all-time series with USD, 14-1. Minnesota leads the all-time series with SDSU, 17-0, and the Gophers are now 68-2 against current members of the Summit League, excluding vacated games.
MURPHY LAYS DOWN THE LAW, AGAIN
Jordan Murphy recorded his second-consecutive double-double, as he finished with 19 points and a career-high 17 rebounds on the heels of a 24-point, 10-rebound performance on Monday versus Clemson. Murphy had just four points and one rebound at the half, but he poured in 15 points and 16 rebounds after the break, and his last-second tip-in wound up sending the game to overtime. Murphy's 17 rebounds were the most in a game for Minnesota since Trevor Mbakwe grabbed 16 at Northwestern on Jan. 23, 2013. Murphy has reached double-figures in his past three games, averaging 19.0 points and 11.0 rebounds, while making 19-of-34 (.559) field goals.
DOUBLE DOUBLE-DOUBLE
In addition to Jordan Murphy's second-straight point-rebound double-double of 19 points and 17 rebounds, Joey King recorded his first career double-double at Minnesota, finishing the game with 17 points and 10 rebounds. It marks the first time two Minnesota players had a double-double in the same game since Austin Hollins (20 points, 14 rebounds) and Elliott Eliason (10 points, 12 rebounds) accomplished the feat on Dec. 10, 2013.
KING OF WILLIAMS
Joey King didn't have his best day shooting the ball, making just 4-of-11 field goals and being held without a three-pointer for the first time all season, but he made 9-of-10 free throws and wound up with 17 points to go along with 10 rebounds (his best at Minnesota) and a career-high seven assists. In five home games this season, King has averaged 18.8 points and 5.0 rebounds, making 27-of-46 (.587) field goals, including 13-of-23 (.565) three-pointers, and 27-of-29 (.931) free throws. The senior has finished in double-figures in all eight games for the Gophers this season, and 11 straight games dating back to last season, and he leads the team with an average of 17.1 points and 22-of-42 (.524) three-point field goals.
GOING EXTRAS
This afternoon marked Minnesota's first overtime contest since winning 96-90 in overtime at No. 25 Michigan State on Feb. 26, 2015. It was the Gophers' first multiple OT game since a 77-74 loss in triple overtime at Purdue on Feb. 5, 2014. The Gophers are 2-4 in overtime games under Richard Pitino.
OWNING DECEMBER
Despite today's loss, Minnesota is 12-2 in games played during the month of December under Richard Pitino, with its only other setback being a 72-68 loss at Purdue in last season's Big Ten opener on Dec. 31, 2014. Dating back to 2006-07, the Gophers are 51-11 in December, and Minnesota hadn't lost a non-conference home game during December since a 67-66 loss to Arkansas-Little Rock on Dec. 9, 2006.
HOME STREAK SNAPPED
Minnesota's streak of consecutive home wins against non-conference opponents ended at 47 games, a streak which had ranked second in the nation. The Gophers had not lost to a non-conference team at Williams Arena since an 87-79 setback to Virginia as part of the B1G/ACC Challenge on Nov. 29, 2010.
DORSEY CONTRIBUTES OFF BENCH
Kevin Dorsey came off the bench and wound up with a career-high 15 points and five rebounds in 34 minutes. He made 4-of-6 field goals and added 6-of-8 free throws.
