University of Minnesota Athletics
Fast Break: Michigan
2/19/2017 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
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ERIES, ETC.
Tonight's 83-78 overtime victory was the 145th all-time meeting between Minnesota and Michigan (not counting vacated games), with the Wolverines now holding an 85-60 lead (Minnesota leads 39-30 in Minneapolis). The win for the Gophers was their fifth-straight, and it snapped a nine-game losing streak in the series versus Michigan. Minnesota improved to 20-7 overall and 8-6 in the B1G, while Michigan had its three-game winning streak stopped and fell to 17-10 (7-7). Head coach Richard Pitino is 1-5 against Michigan, and 26-47 against Big Ten foes, while Minnesota now stands at 743-809 all-time in B1G play. Coach Pitino's fourth-year record at Minnesota is 71-58, and his five-year career mark is 89-72.
MINNESOTA AT 8-6 IN B1G FOR FIRST TIMES SINCE 2004-05
The Gophers have now won five-straight Big Ten games to move to 8-6 in conference play for the first time since 2004-05, when the Gophers won their last four B1G games to go 10-6 in the conference and reached the NCAA Tournament.
OVERTIME, ETC.
The win against the Wolverines was Minnesota's fifth extra session game in Big Ten play this season, and that is the most conference overtime games in a season since also having five OT contests during the 1980-81 campaign. Minnesota is now 2-5 in overtime games versus Michigan. Minnesota's only other OT victory against Michigan was a 90-83 home win in overtime on Feb. 16, 1953.
STARTING FIVE
For the eighth time this season, Coach Pitino utilized a starting lineup of redshirt senior Akeem Springs, juniors Nate Mason and Reggie Lynch, sophomore Jordan Murphy, and true freshman Amir Coffey. Mason made his team-leading 62nd career start (56th consecutive) in Maroon and Gold, while Murphy was in the starting lineup for the 47th consecutive time. Lynch, a redshirt junior who transferred from Illinois State, has started 26 games for the Gophers, while Coffey also made his 26th career start. Springs made his ninth start with the Gophers.
MURPHY HAS FOURTH-STRAIGHT DOUBLE-DOUBLE
Jordan Murphy, this week's co-Big Ten Player of the Week, finished with game-high totals of 16 points and 15 rebounds for his fourth-straight double-double. Murphy now has nine double-doubles this season, and 18 for his career. It is the first time he's managed four-consecutive double-doubles after having reached a streak of three twice last season. Murphy was 7-of-13 from the field, while making 2-of-5 free throws. His free throws with 1.1 seconds remaining in OT sealed the Gophers' five-point win. He's reached double-figures for points 15 times this season, and has 10 double-digit rebounding efforts.
McBRAYER COMES OFF BENCH FOR 15
Dupree McBrayer came off the bench to score 15 points for the Gophers, including 10 after halftime, with a 7-of-8 performance at the free throw line. It was McBrayer's first double-figure scoring output since he had 14 in the overtime loss versus Wisconsin on Jan. 21, and it was his best output since scoring 19 points in the win against Arkansas State on Dec. 23.
MASON KEYS SECOND HALF AND OT
Nate Mason went to the locker room at the half with two points and three assists, but he scored 11 points and dished out six assists after the break to finish with totals of 13 points and eight assists. It was Mason's team-leading seventh consecutive double-figure scoring output, and he now stands at 1,101 career points. Mason moved past Voshon Lenard and George Kline to move into 30th place on Minnesota's all-time scoring list this evening.
LYNCH EFFECTIVE IN LIMITED MINUTES
Reggie Lynch's minutes were limited versus the Wolverines after getting into foul trouble, but he was efficient during his time on the floor. Lynch was 4-for-4 from the field and 3-of-4 at the free throw line, as he finished with 11 points and eight rebounds in just 13 minutes. The Big Ten's leader in blocked shots was held without one tonight, but has 81 this season.
MISCELLANEOUS ODDS AND ENDS
Among odds and ends in tonight's game, Nate Mason was credited for his 350th career assist and scored his 400th point of the season … Amir Coffey grabbed his 100th rebound, but had his seven-game double-figure scoring streak snapped … Eric Curry had 12 points for his sixth double-figure effort and moved past 150 points for the season … Dupree McBrayer recorded his 25th steal this season … the Gophers snapped a six-game home court losing streak to Michigan, defeating the Wolverines at The Barn for the first time since a 69-60 victory here on Feb. 21, 2008 … Minnesota held its 21st halftime lead, and the Gophers are 16-5 in those games … the Gophers improved to 9-2 this season when wearing their Gold uniforms … the attendance of 12,091 was Minnesota's second-largest home crowd this season.
