DanielHouse
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Emotions were running high as the Gophers clashed with Penn State Wednesday night at Williams Arena. Big man Daniel Oturu and Nittany Lions center Mike Watkins exchanged words all evening. Throughout the game, two scrappy Big Ten teams battled in the post and traded punches.
A blistering first half shooting performance helped the Nittany Lions grab an early eight-point advantage. Minnesota fought back and used an 11-1 second half run to fuel a 75-69 win over Penn State. Oturu led the way with 26 points and 14 rebounds.
After shooting 60 percent in the first half, Penn State went on a 1-for-15 scoring drought in the final minutes. Minnesota responded with tough shots and smooth passing from guard Marcus Carr. The sophomore had 27 points and nine assists in 40 minutes. With 4:35 remaining, Minnesota extended its lead to five points behind a smooth pass from Carr. He beautifully found Oturu off the bounce for an easy layup. On the next possession, Oturu stepped outside and drilled a three-pointer to cap a pivotal 13-2 run.
The versatility Oturu has displayed will gain attention from NBA scouts. He is quickly cementing himself as one of the most dominant post players in the country. There simply isn’t much the 6-foot-10 big man can’t do.
When the Gophers needed a key contribution, Alihan Demir stepped up. All year, the transfer from Drexel has made an impact on both ends of the court. His smooth post move was part of the 13-2 run that gave Minnesota a 62-59 lead with 7:49 remaining. Demir also deflected a pass that created a critical transition opportunity for Carr and Oturu. He finished the night with nine points and four rebounds. Demir plays very efficiently and his biggest contributions always seem to occur in high-leverage situations.
The Run Down
Right away, the net was scorching hot at Williams Arena. Penn State made four of its first six shots, including a corner three-pointer by forward Seth Lundy. In his first career start, Lundy finished with 15 points, including a trio of three-pointers.
By attacking off the dribble, Carr continued to create favorable opportunities for his teammates. In the first half, Minnesota went on a 12-2 scoring run that was capped by a Payton Willis three-pointer. The play featured a ball screen and fade on the opposite side. Carr lofted his pass to the corner and Willis drained the open look.
Penn State quickly responded with an 8-0 run over 1:02. Watkins backed inside against Oturu for an easy layup. A missed three-pointer by Kalscheur also led to a transition three-pointer by Myreon Jones. The Nittany Lions used Lundy’s hot shooting to grab an eight-point advantage. During the same sequence, Minnesota went on a 1-for-11 scoring drought. Demir’s deep trey closed the gap and pulled the Gophers back within one point. Penn State shot 60 percent in the first half and brought a 46-44 lead into halftime.
Lamar Stevens, the team’s leading scorer, had just six first half points, but finally caught fire. Right out of halftime, he scored six points during a 10-4 run. The Nittany Lions were aggressively driving and reversing the ball well. Stevens drilled another tough step back jumper and Minnesota trailed by eight points with 17:31 remaining.
However, the Gophers slowly started to chip away at the deficit. Demir stuck his hand into a passing lane and created a turnover. After opening the game 2-for-9, Kalscheur finally hit a deep jumper to pull Minnesota within two points. This season, the Gophers’ sophomore guard has struggled to get in a rhythm. He missed all seven of his three-point attempts, including several open looks. This year, when Kalscheur has been aggressive off the dribble, he’s found his shot. On Wednesday night, there were a few moments where this was the case. The sophomore guard had just six points on 3-for-11 shooting.
When Minnesota finds Oturu in the post, good things always seem to happen. During one sequence, Oturu started on the low block, dribbled inside and finished a three-point play against Watkins. The dynamic post move tied the game at 59 with 10:50 remaining.
In a very physical clash, Minnesota also dominated the rebounding margin 48-32. Throughout the night, tempers flared between Oturu and several Penn State players. Referee Courney Green even held a meeting with both teams during a timeout. A few minutes later, Oturu and Watkins exchanged words. The referees called a double technical, but tension was still felt all night.
Videos:
A blistering first half shooting performance helped the Nittany Lions grab an early eight-point advantage. Minnesota fought back and used an 11-1 second half run to fuel a 75-69 win over Penn State. Oturu led the way with 26 points and 14 rebounds.
After shooting 60 percent in the first half, Penn State went on a 1-for-15 scoring drought in the final minutes. Minnesota responded with tough shots and smooth passing from guard Marcus Carr. The sophomore had 27 points and nine assists in 40 minutes. With 4:35 remaining, Minnesota extended its lead to five points behind a smooth pass from Carr. He beautifully found Oturu off the bounce for an easy layup. On the next possession, Oturu stepped outside and drilled a three-pointer to cap a pivotal 13-2 run.
The versatility Oturu has displayed will gain attention from NBA scouts. He is quickly cementing himself as one of the most dominant post players in the country. There simply isn’t much the 6-foot-10 big man can’t do.
When the Gophers needed a key contribution, Alihan Demir stepped up. All year, the transfer from Drexel has made an impact on both ends of the court. His smooth post move was part of the 13-2 run that gave Minnesota a 62-59 lead with 7:49 remaining. Demir also deflected a pass that created a critical transition opportunity for Carr and Oturu. He finished the night with nine points and four rebounds. Demir plays very efficiently and his biggest contributions always seem to occur in high-leverage situations.
The Run Down
Right away, the net was scorching hot at Williams Arena. Penn State made four of its first six shots, including a corner three-pointer by forward Seth Lundy. In his first career start, Lundy finished with 15 points, including a trio of three-pointers.
By attacking off the dribble, Carr continued to create favorable opportunities for his teammates. In the first half, Minnesota went on a 12-2 scoring run that was capped by a Payton Willis three-pointer. The play featured a ball screen and fade on the opposite side. Carr lofted his pass to the corner and Willis drained the open look.
Penn State quickly responded with an 8-0 run over 1:02. Watkins backed inside against Oturu for an easy layup. A missed three-pointer by Kalscheur also led to a transition three-pointer by Myreon Jones. The Nittany Lions used Lundy’s hot shooting to grab an eight-point advantage. During the same sequence, Minnesota went on a 1-for-11 scoring drought. Demir’s deep trey closed the gap and pulled the Gophers back within one point. Penn State shot 60 percent in the first half and brought a 46-44 lead into halftime.
Lamar Stevens, the team’s leading scorer, had just six first half points, but finally caught fire. Right out of halftime, he scored six points during a 10-4 run. The Nittany Lions were aggressively driving and reversing the ball well. Stevens drilled another tough step back jumper and Minnesota trailed by eight points with 17:31 remaining.
However, the Gophers slowly started to chip away at the deficit. Demir stuck his hand into a passing lane and created a turnover. After opening the game 2-for-9, Kalscheur finally hit a deep jumper to pull Minnesota within two points. This season, the Gophers’ sophomore guard has struggled to get in a rhythm. He missed all seven of his three-point attempts, including several open looks. This year, when Kalscheur has been aggressive off the dribble, he’s found his shot. On Wednesday night, there were a few moments where this was the case. The sophomore guard had just six points on 3-for-11 shooting.
When Minnesota finds Oturu in the post, good things always seem to happen. During one sequence, Oturu started on the low block, dribbled inside and finished a three-point play against Watkins. The dynamic post move tied the game at 59 with 10:50 remaining.
In a very physical clash, Minnesota also dominated the rebounding margin 48-32. Throughout the night, tempers flared between Oturu and several Penn State players. Referee Courney Green even held a meeting with both teams during a timeout. A few minutes later, Oturu and Watkins exchanged words. The referees called a double technical, but tension was still felt all night.
Videos:
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