Minnesota ousts Hawai'i from NIT, 84-70

Advertiser Staff

MINNEAPOLIS — Minnesota's tall front line negated hot three-point shooting by Hawai'i as the Golden Gophers won a second-round NIT game, 84-70, today at Williams Arena.

Hawai‘i ended the season with a 19-12 record. Minnesota improved to 18-12.

Hawai'i had a nine-point led early in the second half. Minnesota then dominated inside play, blocking a handful of Hawai'i shots and controlling the boards to go on runs of 11-2 and 13-0 midway in the period to seize control of the game.

The Gophers had a 39-22 rebounding advantage over Hawai'i, including 18 offensive rebounds. Minnesota's starting front line consisted of 6-8 Michael Bauer, 6-11 Rick Rickert and 6-10 Jerry Holman.

Minnesota guard Maurice Hargrow had a game-high 22 points to go with six rebounds. Ben Johnson added 18 points, Rickert 16 and Holman 14.

Michael Kuebler led Hawai'i with 20 points, including 6-for-10 from three-point range. Carl English had 19 points, Phil Martin 13 points and a team-high five rebounds, and Nkeruwen "Tony" Akpan had 12 points.

Hawai‘i took a 40-36 halftime lead thanks to five three-point baskets by Kuebler. A basket and another three-pointer by Kuebler in the first three minutes of the second half increased UH's lead to 50-41.

That's when Minnesota turnd the tide. A three-pointer by Hargrow sparked an 11-2 run that tied the game at 52.

The Rainbow Warriors clung to a 56-54 lead with about 11 minutes left. Minnesota then went on a 13-0 run, led by six points by Hargrow. Hawai‘i would get no closer than eight points thereafter.

Hawai'i shot 52 percent from the field in the first half but 43 percent in the second. Minnesota shot 43 percent in the first half, 68 percent in the second.