UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA GOLDEN GOPHERS IS TAKING ON GEORGIA STATE

As this game gets underway here at the University of Minnesota both teams are coming out firing on all cylinders. The Gophers are starting out in half court man to man defense. There is a bigger crowd then at the beginning of the first game earlier tonight.

Colton Iverson has just scored on a nice jumper. He has seems to be in the flow early.

Blake Hohbarber has just come down the court and hit a couple of nice jump shots to rally the Gophers. The Gophers are playing aggressive first half basketball. They look hungry and they seem to have a will to win. Georgia State is also playing well at the start.

The Gophers are playing an aggressive 2-3 defensive zone.

Al Nolen Jr. has reentered the game. He is playing sound basketball on both ends of the court. Nolan just found Colton Iverson on a fast break, and he takes the ball to the basket and throws down a monster dunk.

With 7:46 left to go in the first half the score is Minnesota 20 and Georgia State 14.

The Gophers have been able to run their offensive early on. Lawrence Westbrook has looked good and he has been able to get to the basket and make some nice shots. Al Nolen just scored his first two points of the game with 4:40 left to go. As a good point guard, he has let his teammates do more of the scoring while he directing his players and positioning them where they are supposed to be on the court.

The Gophers are playing well together and seem to be having a good time.

At half time the score is Minnesota 35 and Georgia State 23. The Gophers are shooting 50% from the field (14-28). Westbrook is the Gophers leading scorer with 9 points. Colton Iverson and Ralph Sampson have 6 points each and Al Nolen Jr. has 2 points and he is 1-2 from the field. The leading scorer for Georgia State is Leonard Mendez with 5 points.

As the second half gets under way both teams have come out playing up-tempo basketball. The Gophers are playing really strong on the defensive end.

Georgia State has been on a little run to start this second half. With 15:12 left to go in the game the score is Minnesota 35 and Georgia State 29. The Gophers haven’t made a field goal in the second half.

Al Nolen has started to control the Gopher offense and the Gophers have made a run of their own and with 11:59 left in the game the score is Minnesota 40 and Georgia State 33. So far Al Nolen is 1-3 from the field and 2-2 from the free throw line with a total of 4 points.

The Gophers are still playing aggressive but the Georgia State is making a comeback. With 6:23 to go in the game the score is Minnesota 46 and Georgia State 38.

Georgia State is making the game interesting. They have played well throughout the game and they have made the Gophers earn every the basket they have made tonight. Blake Hoffarber has just made a three point shot that brought the crowd on its feet.

As this game comes down to the end the Gophers are still in a tight game. But in the end the Gophers hang on to win 60-52.

Leading the way for the Gophers tonight was Lawrence Westbrook with 15 points and Ralph Sampson and Blake Hoffarber each had 8. The leading scorers for Georgia State were Joe Dukes with 16 points and Leonard Mendez with 11. The Gopher’s Al Nolen and Lawrence Westbrook were named to the All Tournament Team.