Gophers Escape with 69-68 Thriller Over UAB

It was a bit unorthodox at The Barn on Wednesday night. For starters the Gophers never trailed; Minnesota also opened up a 16-point first half lead, and later had an eight-point lead with less than three minutes remaining in regulation. However, eight more missed Gopher free throws, an ill-advised four point play and a last second UAB shot that just missed, gave the Gophers an untraditional, yet important 69-68 win over a Blazer team that returned three starters that advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament last season.

What added to the odd night at The Barn was for the first time in a few weeks (although it felt like months) the Gophers had Vincent Grier, Maurice Hargrow and Rico Tucker on the floor at the same time. It was a welcome sight for Gopher fans and was perfectly timed as the Gophers needed all the athleticism it could get on the perimeter.

While much of the focus was on the Grier/Hargrow combo in the first half, it was Adam Boone that was the go to guy as he scored 14 of his 15 points in the games first 20 minutes and was instrumental in the Gophers opening up a quick and commanding 36-21 after a 10-0 Gopher run. Boone hit a three-pointer to extend the lead to 16 points, but the Blazers made a late 5-point mini run to end the half and close the lead to 39-28.

UAB opened the second half in the same way it closed out the last minute of the first and quickly cut further into the Gopher lead 45-43 about five minutes into the second half.

But Dan Coleman and Hargrow made some big plays to open up a nine-point Gopher lead with 8:27 remaining. Coleman had a quiet first half, but was very effective in the second half and finished with 11 points including a crucial 5/6 from the free throw line, an area that is a growing concern for Minnesota early on this season.

But just as the Gophers were putting the finishing touches on the Blazers, Demario Eddins hit two free throws Marvett McDonald had a huge four-point play after a Hargrow foul on a made three-pointer. McDonald’s made free throw cut the Gopher lead to 64-62.

Grier, who had a quiet game (well a quiet game for him) made some big noise with a snazzy lay-up in a crowded lane with 36 seconds remaining. UAB hit two tough three-pointers sandwiching a Boone free throw tying the game at 68-68 with 11 seconds remaining. Eddins fouled Hargrow in the backcourt with about seven seconds remaining and the senior hit one of two free throws.

Squeaky Johnson, who had 15 big points tonight, came up short on his game-winning attempt in the final seconds and the Gophers escaped with the one point win.

The Gophers, who improved to 6-2, had four guys in double figures with Hargrow leading the way with 20 points, Boone had 15 (including seven assists), Grier chipped in with 12 and Coleman had 11. J’Son Stamper once again was huge on the glass tonight as he finished with 10 rebounds and Spencer Tollackson added eight rebounds including four offensive.

Despite never tailing and blowing a 16-point first half lead, Minnesota battled on and continued its quest in identifying roles and a team personality. But equally important, Minnesota got its fourth consecutive victory and beat a quality Blazer team.

With that, an odd night at The Barn resulting in a win sure feels good.