Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Men's basketball falls in overtime trap game to Minnesota

February 26, 2015
<p>Senior guard Travis Trice is fouled by Minnesota guard Nate Mason Feb 26, 2015, during the game against Minnesota at Breslin Center. The Spartans fell to the Golden Gophers in overtime, 96-90. Kennedy Thatch/The State News</p>

Senior guard Travis Trice is fouled by Minnesota guard Nate Mason Feb 26, 2015, during the game against Minnesota at Breslin Center. The Spartans fell to the Golden Gophers in overtime, 96-90. Kennedy Thatch/The State News

Photo by Kennedy Thatch | The State News

In a textbook trap game, Minnesota stormed into Breslin Center and strolled away with a 96-90 victory.

On what seemed to be Minnesota’s last chance, sophomore forward Gavin Schilling fouled Minnesota junior guard Carlos Morris on a three-point heave. The shot from Morris went in but he missed the go-ahead free throw to keep MSU’s hopes alive, as the Spartans went to their sixth overtime game of the year.

In overtime, Minnesota outscored MSU 9-2 in the first three minutes before freshman guard Lourawls Nairn answered with two free throws.

The Golden Gophers dominated the extra period, and a three-point play from junior forward Matt Costello and a triple from junior guard Denzel Valentine just weren't enough to lift the Spartans.

Valentine led MSU with 27 points and senior guard Travis Trice followed with 21 points. Carlos Morris scored 20 for the Golden Gophers.

Defense was hard to come by through almost the entire first half and the offensive fireworks started early. Minnesota freshman guard Nate Mason scored the game’s first points but to answer for the Spartans, Valentine converted a three-point play.

Valentine’s tough score was just the start of an impressive half. He went on to shoot 5-of-6 from the floor, including 4-of-5 from three point range.

Sophomore guard Alvin Ellis proved valuable, coming off the bench to score an efficient seven first half points in just five minutes. He was a transition threat when he was in the game, finishing two lay-ups and even sinking one of MSU’s seven first half three-pointers.

MSU and Minnesota both shot over 50 percent from the floor in the first half, and the Spartans took a 41-36 lead into the break.

After getting away from attacking the paint a bit in the first half, MSU went right inside early as sophomore forward Gavin Schilling scored his team’s first four points at the rim. Dawson scored in the lane as well, knocking down a jumper, before Valentine reasserted his presence on the perimeter with a three.

Much like the first half, Minnesota managed to fight back into it whenever the Spartans started to open up a lead. MSU took a seven point lead at the 12:14 mark on a Dawson layup but Minnesota scored six straight to cut its deficit to just one.

After his three early in the second half, Valentine was held in check for a long stretch of time. He reappeared with a triple around the six minute mark, as he worked around a screen for an open shot on the right wing.

The Golden Gophers capitalized and took their largest lead of the game (three points) at the time at the 3:54 mark.

A few Spartan possessions later, with the shot clock winding down, Trice found the ball in his hands. As we’ve seen many times this year, Trice jacked the three, but this time, his step-back was all net, and MSU tied the game at 67 with 2:26 left.

Minnesota answered with a bucket in the lane, but Trice’s hot hand carried over to the ensuing possession. He hit another three to put MSU up by one. Then, the senior guard turned a Minnesota turnover into a fast-break dunk for Dawson and Breslin Center exploded.

MSU couldn't take care of business down the stretch, Morris hit the game-tying three, and the rest was history.

Support student media! Please consider donating to The State News and help fund the future of journalism.

Discussion

Share and discuss “Men's basketball falls in overtime trap game to Minnesota” on social media.