University of Minnesota Athletics
Murphy's Spark Helps Power Gophers to Win
2/9/2017 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
The back and forth play between the Minnesota Golden Gophers and the Iowa Hawkeyes Wednesday night was filled with constant drama but also tension throughout. With the lead changing 18 times and 14 total ties, the outcome was up in the air for most of the game.
Heading into the second overtime, it was all tied up at 84-84. Thanks to big plays, both in overtime and throughout the game in general, the Maroon and Gold came up big for the win, 101-89. Among the many positive outcomes from the victory, sophomore forward Jordan Murphy garnered much of the attention.
The 6-6 forward had a stellar night, achieving a career high 25 points on 10-for-13 shooting, along with 19 rebounds and four blocks. The double-double is his sixth of the year.
"Obviously Jordan Murphy was phenomenal," said head coach Richard Pitino during the press conference following the game. "Jordan just did that by sheer will. When he does that, we're pretty difficult."
Murphy found his own way to thrive with help from the team. "We didn't run a whole lot for him," explained Pitino. "It was penetrating and finding him. That's kind of where his bread is buttered right about now. It doesn't mean he's not a very good player - he is. It was getting out on the break. It was driving and playing behind the defense, getting some dunks and offensive rebounds."
The San Antonio native credits his rebounding and his teammates in compiling his eye-popping line score.
"That's really what led everything," Murphy acknowledged. "Of course, my team was finding me when I was open. I was just really confident down the stretch. I knew that eventually they were going to start doubling me or stop leaving me open. Nate took over the game and that's just what we needed."
Pitino is ecstatic, of course, with this win and he recognized the work that the players have been putting in, especially Murphy.
"That's about as good as I've seen him," Pitino declared of his starting power forward. "Extremely proud of our guys. Probably the most proud since I've been here."
- by Caroline Sobek, Athletic Communications Student Assistant
