(Al Nolan Minnesota Gophers)Three days after blowing out Eastern Washington 88-67, Minnesota took on North Dakota State at Williams Arena. The Gophers, off to their first 5-0 start since 1999-00, were the toughest test of the season for 2-1 NDSU.
Lawrence Westbrook, who missed Wednesday's game with a right shin injury, was not in the starting line up but came off the bench to score 17 points.
Starting forward Jamal Abu-Shamala scored the first 7 points for the Gophers. Although not the most prolific ball handler, Abu-Shamala had no trouble carving his way through the Bison's defense. The senior led the Gophers in scoring with 20 points.
The Gophers harassing defense carried them in the first half. With 12:40 left to go in the half, Ralph Sampson III sprinted down the floor to reject what would have been an easy lay up for Williams.
Despite Minnesota's defensive intensity, Coach Tubby Smith called for even tighter defensive play in the second half, after NDSU finished the first half on a 7-0 run to cut the Gophers lead to to 10.
With 13:02 left in the 2nd half NDSU was called for a blocking foul sending Abu-Shamala to the line. Enraged by the call, NDSU coach Saul Williams was given a technical foul of his own. Abu-Shamala hit all four free throws giving Minnesota a lead of 59-42.
Ralph Sampson III had a strong second half, scoring all of his 12 points in the period.
Minnesota shot over 65% in the 2nd half, but NDSU stayed in the game after guard Mike Nelson started heating up from beyond the arc. With just under five minutes remaining, Nelson hit a three to make it a 10 point game.
This would be as close as the Bison would get, as the Gophers held on to win by a score of 90-76.
Gophers Blog Writer: Michael Rietmulder
Lawrence Westbrook, who missed Wednesday's game with a right shin injury, was not in the starting line up but came off the bench to score 17 points.
Starting forward Jamal Abu-Shamala scored the first 7 points for the Gophers. Although not the most prolific ball handler, Abu-Shamala had no trouble carving his way through the Bison's defense. The senior led the Gophers in scoring with 20 points.
The Gophers harassing defense carried them in the first half. With 12:40 left to go in the half, Ralph Sampson III sprinted down the floor to reject what would have been an easy lay up for Williams.
Despite Minnesota's defensive intensity, Coach Tubby Smith called for even tighter defensive play in the second half, after NDSU finished the first half on a 7-0 run to cut the Gophers lead to to 10.
With 13:02 left in the 2nd half NDSU was called for a blocking foul sending Abu-Shamala to the line. Enraged by the call, NDSU coach Saul Williams was given a technical foul of his own. Abu-Shamala hit all four free throws giving Minnesota a lead of 59-42.
Ralph Sampson III had a strong second half, scoring all of his 12 points in the period.
Minnesota shot over 65% in the 2nd half, but NDSU stayed in the game after guard Mike Nelson started heating up from beyond the arc. With just under five minutes remaining, Nelson hit a three to make it a 10 point game.
This would be as close as the Bison would get, as the Gophers held on to win by a score of 90-76.
Gophers Blog Writer: Michael Rietmulder