University of Minnesota Athletics
Fast Break: South Dakota State
12/8/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
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THE SDSU SERIES
Tonight's game against South Dakota State renewed a recent rivalry that took a one-year break last season. The Gophers and Jackrabbits had played nine times during 2005-13, with Minnesota winning every game. Overall, Minnesota leads a series that began in 1930 by a 17-1 count. It was the second straight loss against a team from the Mount Rushmore State, as South Dakota defeated the Gophers, 85-81, in double overtime on Saturday. The Gophers are now 68-3 against current members of the Summit League, excluding vacated games.
UNFAMILIAR TERRITORY
Minnesota made just 6-of-26 (.231) field goals in the first half, and the Gophers faced a 23-point deficit at the half. It was Minnesota's largest halftime deficit since it trailed by 23 points at Indiana on Jan. 12, 2013. The most the Gophers trailed by at the half last season was 13 points in the season-opener versus nationally-ranked Louisville. Minnesota trailed by as many as 24 points in the second half, and never held a lead versus the Jackrabbits.
BACK-TO-BACK HOME L's
The 85-81 loss in double overtime to the Coyotes coupled with tonight's 84-70 setback to South Dakota State marks the Gophers' first back-to-back home losses to non-conference opponents since 2006-07. That season, Minnesota dropped a 68-63 decision to Iowa State on Nov. 21, then lost to Clemson by a 90-68 final in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge on Nov. 29. Tonight's 14-point loss to South Dakota State is Minnesota's largest margin of defeat to a non-conference team at home since that 22-point loss to Clemson in 2006-07.
KING'S STREAK SNAPPED
Joey King had scored in double-figures in all eight games this season, and in 11 straight games dating back to last season, but he was held to just five points on 2-of-6 shooting. In six home games this season, King has averaged 16.5 points and 4.2 rebounds, making 29-of-52 (.558) field goals, including 14-of-25 (.560) three-pointers, and 27-of-29 (.931) free throws. The senior leads the team with an average of 15.8 points and 23-of-44 (.523) three-point field goals.
SOLID GUARD PLAY
Minnesota had three players reach double-digits, and all three were guards. Nate Mason led the team with 18 points, reaching double-figures for the fourth straight game. He made 5-of-11 field goals, including 3-of-5 from beyond the arc, and all five of his free throw attempts, while adding five assists (1 TO), two steals and a pair of rebounds. Kevin Dorsey finished with a career-high 16 points, as he made 5-of-12 field goals (2-of-4 three-pointers), while coming up with three steals, three boards and two assists. Dupree McBrayer went 9-of-10 at the free throw line and reached double-digits for the first time in his career with 13 points.
