Gophers Win Opener 92-77
November 10, 2017
The initials USC automatically cause sports fans to think University of Southern California. So, it was with surprise that some spectators at the Minnesota-USC basketball game Friday night thought that the Gophers were there to entertain the vaunted Trojans of the Golden State. Not so. In this case, USC meant Upstate South Carolina, located in Spartanburg, S.C.
Prior to 1967, this institution of higher learning did not exist, but today is the home of a Division I basketball team competing in the ASUN Conference. Appropriately enough, given the school’s location, the team’s nickname is Spartans.
This USC was not figured to pose a threat, given that last year, the team went 17-16 in a weak conference, and the Gophers are nationally ranked. It was with some amazement, therefore, when Deon Holmes’ layup basket gave USC a 16-12 lead with 12 minutes left in the first half. Minnesota’s players were competing as if their minds were elsewhere, perhaps with thoughts about mid-term exams or Thanksgiving dinner.
Minnesota was showing a reluctance to guard three-point shooters as well as an ability to score from the three-point line. Nevertheless, a three-point basket by sub Jamir Harris gave the Gophers a 19-16 lead. It did not last. A three-pointer by Malik Moore shot the Spartans back into the lead.
USC was to go to can seven three-pointers in the half, led by guard Jure Span with three. On the other end, Jordan Murphy and Reggie Lynch were pulling down rebounds and scoring on bunches of put backs to allow the Gophers the lead, 43-33, at the half.
The second half saw Minnesota increasing the lead to 55-38 on a Murphy free throw. He would go on to score 35 points while pulling down 15 rebounds against the scrawny front line of Carson Smith, Ramel Thompkns, and Moore. Lynch found similar success, playing 26 minutes and scoring 15 points with 10 boards.
USC, however did not go gently into the night. A Thompkins three-pointer closed the Spartans to within 70-61 with only seven and one-half minutes left in the game. But baskets by Murphy, DuPree McBrayer, and Nate Mason increased the lead to 17 points. However, coach Richard Pitino was reluctant to empty his bench. Only four subs saw action for the home team.
The Spartanburgers closed to within 86-73 but lost momentum and cracked. The final saw Minnesota walking away with a 92-77 victory that was never safe. In what was supposed to be a blowout win, the Gophers came across as slow and unable or unwilling to guard perimeter shooters. USC finished with 14 three-point baskets. Moore led Spartan scorers with 23 points.
Mason had 11 for the Gophers.