WBB: Gophers defeat Memphis 70-60


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Come off the screen, drive the lane-FINISH! In the first half, the Gophers struggled with the finish. In the second, they went hard off the picks and hard for the finish. It worked immediately. They began the second half by turning a 29-37 deficit into a 46-37 advantage on the way to a 70-60 win.

Memphis was determined to cut off the threes (Minnesota was 3-15); but Wagner and Banham attacked the lane. Once again it was primarily a guard game. Banham had a double-double 23 points and 10 rebound while Wagner contributed 21 points.

Edwards added 11 points and six rebounds while Barnes struggled in 6 minutes.

Minutes Played:
40 Bailey*
38 Mullaney*
36 Wagner*
35 Banham*
28 Hedstrom*
17 Edwards
6 Barnes
 


And a couple of other things:

Most of us have taken shots at the Gopher D; but yesterday they deserved credit. Minnesota forced 18 turnovers turning them into 23 points. Five of those turnovers fueled the 17-0 game deciding run.

On the other side, Memphis’ pressure (the Tigers generally picked up full court) only forced 9 Minnesota turnovers. Four of those turnovers were committed by Wagner helping to explain why Banham and Mullaney were the primary press breakers. Carlie’s usefulness was being the half court outlet. Bottom line; the Gophers executed well against the pressure and were able to get two of Memphis’ better players (Hearn and Fuqua-Bey) into foul trouble.

The box score credits Minnesota with 48 points in the paint. It could easily have been in the 60s or at least 50. In the first half, Minnesota ran a nice play resulting in Wagner bouncing a perfect pass down the baseline to Karley Barnes all alone in the lane. Barnes sort of double-clutched, hit the bottom of the rim with the shot and then frustration fouled the Memphis rebounder. Barnes will have better days.
 




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