DanielHouse
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In a season filled with disappointment, Monday night was the chance for Minnesota to end a losing streak against a bitter rival. In the second half, it looked like it might be possibility.
Minnesota led 58-51 with 5:32 left, but went more than six minutes without scoring. Wisconsin used a pair of Brevin Prtizl three-pointers in overtime to fuel a 73-63 overtime victory. The Badgers ended the night with a 22-5 run, leaving every opportunity for Minnesota to steal a win.
The Gophers have now dropped eight consecutive games against Wisconsin to go along with a nine-game regular season losing streak dating back to mid-January.
It was clear to see Wisconsin’s strategy revolved around trying to control Jordan Murphy. He was double-teamed on multiple possessions, but managed to escape and find his teammates. Despite the extra attention, Murphy managed to break the Gophers’ single-season double-double record, passing Mychal Thompson on the all-time list. Murphy had 16 points and 11 rebounds, completing his 22nd double-double of the season.
Murphy slithered out of two double-teams to find Michael Hurt for an easy layup and deep three-pointer. Hurt had eight points in the first nine minutes of the game, finishing with 15 total points. His agressive performance helped spark a 7-0 run, fueling an early 18-15 lead.
Just a few minutes later, Wisconsin answered with a 7-0 run of their own to grab a six-point advantage. Both teams traded leads the entire game, but Nate Mason’s late three-pointer helped the Gophers enter halftime trailing by just one-point.
Out of the break, Dupree McBrayer hit a pair of threes and Nate Mason beautifully dished to Bakary Konate for a big dunk. McBrayer’s return certainly provided the Minnesota with a major lift at the guard spot. The Gophers led 48-42 with just over 14 minutes left. They continued to build upon the momentum by sharing the basketball. Minnesota’s ball movement allowed them to create open looks the entire night. Wisconsin trimmed the lead during the final minutes as Minnesota’s offense went more than 5:30 without a made field goal. An Ethan Happ layup tied the game at 59, capping a quick 8-1 run by Wisconsin. Nate Mason tried a layup attempt at the buzzer, but came up short as he absorbed contact.
Defensively, the Gophers double-teamed Happ, holding him scoreless until the 17:32 mark of the second half. Entering the game, Happ was averaging 18.3 points per game, but he made the most important shot in the late stages of the game. Each team was trying to lock down the opposing forward, leaving opportunities for other players on the court.
In the process, Minnesota’s defense left a few open looks for freshman Brad Davison to knock down three-pointers. Entering the game, Wisconsin was shooting just 33 percent from behind the arc, but managed to shoot 41 percent from three-point land against the Gophers on Monday night. Brevin Pritzl’s pair of overtime threes were the difference down the stretch. Davison added four first half threes to go along with 19 total points. The Maple Grove, Minn. product has been one of the Badgers’ most reliable players this season.
The Gophers will play one final home game at Williams Arena on Wednesday night as the Iowa Hawkeyes travel to Minnesota.
Minnesota led 58-51 with 5:32 left, but went more than six minutes without scoring. Wisconsin used a pair of Brevin Prtizl three-pointers in overtime to fuel a 73-63 overtime victory. The Badgers ended the night with a 22-5 run, leaving every opportunity for Minnesota to steal a win.
The Gophers have now dropped eight consecutive games against Wisconsin to go along with a nine-game regular season losing streak dating back to mid-January.
It was clear to see Wisconsin’s strategy revolved around trying to control Jordan Murphy. He was double-teamed on multiple possessions, but managed to escape and find his teammates. Despite the extra attention, Murphy managed to break the Gophers’ single-season double-double record, passing Mychal Thompson on the all-time list. Murphy had 16 points and 11 rebounds, completing his 22nd double-double of the season.
Murphy slithered out of two double-teams to find Michael Hurt for an easy layup and deep three-pointer. Hurt had eight points in the first nine minutes of the game, finishing with 15 total points. His agressive performance helped spark a 7-0 run, fueling an early 18-15 lead.
Just a few minutes later, Wisconsin answered with a 7-0 run of their own to grab a six-point advantage. Both teams traded leads the entire game, but Nate Mason’s late three-pointer helped the Gophers enter halftime trailing by just one-point.
Out of the break, Dupree McBrayer hit a pair of threes and Nate Mason beautifully dished to Bakary Konate for a big dunk. McBrayer’s return certainly provided the Minnesota with a major lift at the guard spot. The Gophers led 48-42 with just over 14 minutes left. They continued to build upon the momentum by sharing the basketball. Minnesota’s ball movement allowed them to create open looks the entire night. Wisconsin trimmed the lead during the final minutes as Minnesota’s offense went more than 5:30 without a made field goal. An Ethan Happ layup tied the game at 59, capping a quick 8-1 run by Wisconsin. Nate Mason tried a layup attempt at the buzzer, but came up short as he absorbed contact.
Defensively, the Gophers double-teamed Happ, holding him scoreless until the 17:32 mark of the second half. Entering the game, Happ was averaging 18.3 points per game, but he made the most important shot in the late stages of the game. Each team was trying to lock down the opposing forward, leaving opportunities for other players on the court.
In the process, Minnesota’s defense left a few open looks for freshman Brad Davison to knock down three-pointers. Entering the game, Wisconsin was shooting just 33 percent from behind the arc, but managed to shoot 41 percent from three-point land against the Gophers on Monday night. Brevin Pritzl’s pair of overtime threes were the difference down the stretch. Davison added four first half threes to go along with 19 total points. The Maple Grove, Minn. product has been one of the Badgers’ most reliable players this season.
The Gophers will play one final home game at Williams Arena on Wednesday night as the Iowa Hawkeyes travel to Minnesota.