The Gophers struggled to defend the three-point shot, but managed to pull ahead for a 107-81 win with help from Reggie Lynch. He finished with 18 points, 12 rebounds, six assists and nine blocks. Lynch was just one block short of tallying the first triple-double since Mychal Thompson in 1976. Minnesota finished with five players in double figures to run past Niagara for their third win.
Gophers struggle to defend the three (again), Coffey starts quick
Niagara opened the game with two quick threes and the Gophers trailed 12-2. Minnesota has been having trouble defending transition three-pointers this year and it was the case throughout Wednesday night’s game. Amir Coffey added a three-pointer to trim the deficit, but Kahlil Dukes, a transfer from USC hit a long-range three-pointer. The Purple Eagles made four of their first six three-point tries and were shooting 56 percent from the floor through the first eight minutes. They continued the trend throughout the night as Kahlil Dukes hit five three-pointers and the Purple Eagles shot 11-for-27 behind the arc.
However, Amir Coffey had an answer for every Niagara first half three-pointer. He opened the game with 13 points, including three three-pointers. Coffey was 7-for-10 in the first half and was lethal in transition. He was again playing aggressive and hitting shots from behind the arc. Teams have a tough time defending Coffey in transition because he can drill the jumper or attack and create. He finished the night with 18 points and five assists in 26 minutes of action.
Minnesota needs to be consistent on the glass
The Gophers’ post players were really struggling to box-out and allowed easy second chance opportunities because of poor position. Davonte Fitzgerald struggled in the early stages of the game and things appear to be moving too fast for him. He picked up a traveling violation and struggled on the glass again. Fitzgerald played just two minutes in the second half. Minnesota allowed 18 total offensive rebounds in the game and will need to clean up their performance on the glass in future games.
Hurt provides another lift
After a slow start, Minnesota fought back during a 7-0 run, including a nice finish by Michael Hurt at the rim. The Gophers continued to perform well with Hurt coming off the bench. Production from Bakary Konate and Davonte Fitzgerald have been less than impressive early in the season. Hurt has improved the team’s ball movement because he can pass, attack and cut within Minnesota’s offensive sets. He dropped a nice pass to Jordan Murphy in transition for a big slam, which got the entire Barn on their feet. Everything is running more efficiently when Hurt is mixed in with the regular starters.
Lynch almost picks up a triple-double
Reggie Lynch went to the bench early, but never looked back in his return. He was making plays on the defensive end and getting easy baskets around the rim. When Lynch is active on the glass, he starts to get in rhythm on offense. He also was very effective when the Gophers reversed the ball, got him a post touch and he reversed to the corner. After a slow start, Lynch finished the night with 18 points, 12 rebounds, six assists, nine blocks and zero turnovers.
He was just one block short of a triple double and played very efficient on the floor.
Minnesota gets the ball movement rolling
Minnesota finished the half with better ball movement and maximized their possessions during a 10-0 run to claim a ten-point lead at the break. The Purple Eagles shot the ball well to open the game, but tapered off as the half progressed, tallying a 4:42 scoring drought. However, in the second half, a string of three three-pointers pulled Niagara within three points with under 12 minutes left. Minnesota answered with a 9-0 run of their own, including a three-pointer by Dupree McBrayer and a Reggie Lynch put-back. The Gophers went on a late offensive explosion, shooting 8-for-10 from the floor, including long distance three-pointers from McBrayer and Isaiah Washington.
Murphy heats up in the second half
Jordan Murphy caught fire in the second half with a long two and a big dunk. He was relatively quiet over the first 20 minutes, but came to life. Murphy scored 18 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in the win. The Gophers had five players in double figures and shared the ball well. In addition, Minnesota’s starters scored 82 of their 107 points in the game. Balanced scoring is something that will be an advantage for this team when they play teams with a plethora of match-up threats. The Gophers also had 32 assists and just four turnovers, which shows their disciplined and selfless play.
Reggie Lynch and Jordan Murphy are both rhythm style players and when they get into a groove, everything opens up offensively. Murphy and Lynch both dropped big slams to put the Gophers up by 15 points with under seven minutes to play. It was all the Gophers needed to run away for a 107-81 victory.