Lynch Blocks Penn State Path
February 25, 2017
The Minnesota victory train roared through Williams Arena on February 26 before a sellout crowd, victimizing a Penn State team caught flat-footed. The startled Nittany Lions could only marvel at the progressive change in the Gophers, a team they defeated 52-50 on January 14. Back then, Penn State rallied from a 32-22 halftime deficit and hardly noticed Minnesota center Reggie Lynch. Saturday at the Barn, Lynch became larger than life, blocking 11 Lion shots.
The usually foul-prone Lynch escaped without fouling, yet slapping away shots like they were peaky flies. Officially, he had 11 blocks, but a 12th was taken from by the scorekeeper and ruled a deflection. Twelve blocks would tie him with Mychal Thompson’s single game record. (Blocks were not recognized as an official statistic 40 years ago, so we will never know how many Bill Simonovich, Ed Kalafat, or Jim McIntyre might have had in a single game.)
A basket by Lynch with nine minutes remaining in the first half gave Minnesota a 17-15 lead, one the Gophers would not relinquish. By halftime, the lead was 39-28, similar to the one they enjoyed at Happy Valley. But this time around, the Gophers did not wilt in the face of a Penn State barrage. In fact, Minnesota increased its lead to 59-45 on a successful Eric Curry jump shot with the period half over. By then, all serious further Penn State charges were repelled. A free throw by DuPree McBrayer made the score 81-71, the final margin.
Penn State, led by Shep Garner, hit five three-point baskets in the first half to keep the contest close, but strayed from the line in the second period and made only two. Tony Carr led all scorers with 20 points, 18 more than he scored in the first Minnesota game.
Nate Mason and Jordan Murphy led the Gophers with 16 points each. Murphy also hauled down 16 rebounds. Mason had 10 as the burly Gophers outrebounded the Lions 49-40.
“We have a lot of weapons,” said coach Richard Pitino after the game, “and we’re getting better.” Minnesota improved to 22 wins against seven losses, cementing a NCAA Tournament bid.
“The guys are playing their best ball,” he said, “and when it’s good, it’s awesome. Our players are unselfish. They care about the success of each other. They don’t care about who gets the credit.”