Minnesota Overcomes Iowa in Second Overtime
February 8, 2017
Sparked by 25-point performances from each Jordan Murphy and Nate Mason, Minnesota’s Gophers outlasted Iowa, 101-89, in double overtime at Williams Arena.
Murphy started the second overtime with a put-back basket to make the score 86-84, and his slam dunk two minutes later sent the Hawkeyes reeling while establishing a 92-87 lead. Mason contributed a basket and a pair of free throws in the period that saw the fatigued Iowa team outscored by 17 to 5.
Minnesota appeared to be on the way to a route early when a Murphy basket gave the Gophers a 40-29 halftime lead. The lead grew to 14 points in the second period, but the Gophers turned cold and Iowa came to life. The lead changed hands 18 times.
With only nine seconds left in regulation play, Mason scored on a layup to send the game into overtime with the score Minnesota 77, Iowa 77.
Jordan Bohannon’s jump shot basket tied the score at 84-84 as time ran out in the first overtime. A flurry of baskets in the second overtime by Murphy, Mason, Amir Coffey, and sub Eric Curry eventually sank the Hawks.
“I’m proud of my guys,” gushed coach Richard Pitino after the game’s conclusion. “They showed great heart and great character. We’re a fun team. When Murphy plays like he did, getting behind the defense, we’re pretty terrific.”
Iowa coach Fran McCaffery thought his players “showed tremendous fight” in the second half. “We just got tired.”
Held to only two points in the first half, Iowa ace Peter Jok scored 26 the rest of the way to lead all scorers. Isiah Moss chipped in with 19 points for the Hawks.
Minnesota had 50 points in the paint to only 32 for Iowa. The Gophers got 22 points off of turnovers to Iowa’s 17. Minnesota had 12 fast break points to six for the Hawkeyes.
Murphy was a beast on the boards with 19 to go along with his 25 points, ending a long drought period of games for him when he seemed to disappear from the Gopher offensive effort. Reggie Lynch added 12 rebounds and six blocked shots. Both players eventually fouled out, but, fortunately for the Gophers, this did not hurt the game’s final outcome.
Minnesota now holds a 104-94 advantage in the Iowa series which dates back to 1902.