Minnesota's chance for postseason slim after loss

Minnesota's chance for postseason slim after loss

Published Mar. 3, 2011 12:44 a.m. ET

By Chris Monter
FOXSportsNorth.com

March 2, 2011

Minnesota continued their struggles in finishing games as they blew a ten-point second half lead as they fell to Northwestern on the road 68-57. The loss means that Golden Gophers will need to win their season finale against Penn State and win two Big Ten Tournament games to reach 20 wins.

Minnesota head coach Tubby Smith has won 20 or more games 17 straight seasons. The loss also means that the Golden Gophers will likely have to win the Big Ten Tournament to make the NCAA Tournament field.

Minnesota fell to 17-12 overall and 6-11 in conference action as they have won just once in their last nine games. The team continues to struggle without senior point guard Al Nolen, who was also their top defender as they fell to ninth place in the conference.

Northwestern improved to 7-11 in the conference and 17-12 overall in their season finale.

Minnesota has lost four straight games for the second times this season. Tubby Smith's team had lost four straight games only twice in his first 19 years as a head coach.

Minnesota led 31-25 at halftime as the Golden Gophers limited Northwestern to just nine of 29 (31 percent) shooting from the field and only three of 15 from 3-point range. Minnesota scored nine of the last 12 points of the first half.

The Golden Gophers expanded the lead to ten at 39-29 with a 3-pointer from freshman Austin Hollins. However, Alex Marcotullio hit a layup and added a free throw to put the Wildcats up 46-45 and they would never relinquish. Marcotullio, John Shurna and Michael Thompson added consecutive 3-pointers to put Northwestern up 55-49 and the Golden Gophers would not get closer.

ADVERTISEMENT
share