The Gophers had just a few days to recover after a tough loss to Miami on Wednesday night. Big Ten play opened on Sunday against an underrated Rutgers team. Minnesota used an efficient performance from Nate Mason to power their victory. He had 26 points, seven assists and just one turnover. Reggie Lynch added 16 points (7-for-10), nine rebounds, and five blocks in an 89-67 win.
In the first half, the Gophers were struggling on the offensive glass as the Scarlet Knights grabbed eight quick offensive rebounds. Entering the game, Rutgers was ranked first nationally in offensive rebounds per game (16.57). They had 14 offensive rebounds in the first half and eight second chance points, which kept them in the game. The Gophers improved on the glass in the second half, allowing just three total in the final 20 minutes.
Minnesota and Rutgers each went on three-minute scoring droughts during the early moments of the game. The Scarlet Knights were driving very aggressively to the basket and crashing the boards on both ends. They were defending the paint rather well and contesting every shot by Jordan Murphy and Reggie Lynch. However, the Gophers tightened up their defense and Rutgers went cold from the floor. Rutgers went on a 1-for-14 drought from the floor and Minnesota took advantage with a quick 6-0 run.
Minnesota led by eight points as Jordan Murphy went to the bench with three fouls. Many of the looks Minnesota had around the basket weren’t falling either, but they started to get in a groove as the game progressed. Rutgers shot just 28% from the floor during the first 20 minutes and the Gophers were fortunate this was the case as they struggled to rebound the ball. Reggie Lynch was very efficient in the first half, shooting 7-for-10 from the floor, grabbing nine rebounds, five blocks. He was cutting to the basket and the guards were finding him off ball reversals. Lynch has been a force inside during the last two games and is playing more disciplined on the defensive end.
In the second half, the Gophers were struggling in transition and Rutgers was successfully getting on the run. They picked up a few easy baskets and the Gophers went on a scoring drought over 2:56. It allowed Rutgers to pull within eight points with just over 11 minutes left. Jordan Murphy was in foul trouble early and shot just 3-for-13 from the floor. He finished with his eighth straight double-double, but was aided by 12 made free throws. The Gophers managed to go on a 7-0 run in the late stages of the second half to run away for a 22-point win.
Davonte Fitzgerald really struggled on the defensive end throughout the game. He allowed three scores in a sequence on defense. Late in the first half, he also made an errant inbound pass. Eugene Omoruyi was really having success against Fitzgerald off the dribble and had 11 points. He struggled all night and looked really uncomfortable during his short stint of minutes on the floor.
Guard Nate Mason continues to display his smooth jumper and is excellent at facilitating the offense. The offense flowed when it ran through Mason, especially because of his passing ability. He opened the second half with back-to-back three-pointers and passed the ball very well, including a dime to Jordan Murphy for a slam. Mason had seven assists to go along with 26 points. He also had just one turnover and the offense moved well under his direction. As a team, the Gophers had 13 assists on 15 made shots in the first half, which was a substantial improvement over Wednesday night’s game against Miami. They finished with 23 total assists and displayed improved ball movement during stretches of the game. Guard Dupree McBrayer played 25 total minutes (7 points) in his return and struggled at times. He looked like he was still recovering from the effects of his leg infection. However, his return helped improve the Gophers’ offensive rhythm and passing.
The Gophers will travel to Nebraska for a road Big Ten game on Tuesday. The tip is slated for 8 p.m. and will be broadcast on Big Ten Network.