3-point barrage lifts Minnesota over Nebraska 107-75
AP
Mar 08, 2020
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) Gabe Kalscheur and his teammates had a record-setting day as the Minnesota Golden Gophers Gophers wrapped up their regular season with a big win.
Kalscheur scored 26 points and tied a school record with eight 3-pointers on Sunday as Minnesota set a season-high in scoring with a 107-75 victory over Nebraska Cornhuskers.
Minnesota made a school-record 18 3-pointers, thanks in large part to Kalscheur, who went 7 for 8 from beyond the arc in the second half.
''My confidence was high and my teammates found me,'' said Kalscheur, who was expected to be one of Minnesota's top scorers this season but entered Sunday shooting 26.2% from 3-point range in conference games. ''The connection with the rim -- it felt like every shot was going in there in the second half.''
Marcus Carr had 18 points and 11 assists, Alihan Demir added 19 points and 10 rebounds, and Daniel Oturu had 10 points and six rebounds for the Gophers (14-16, 8-12 Big Ten), who were eighth in the Big Ten in 3-point shooting before lighting up the Huskers.
''I've said all along, I thought we were a great shooting team,'' Minnesota coach Richard Pitino said. ''They waited to the last game, apparently, to prove me right.''
Haanif Cheatham led Nebraska (7-24, 2-18) with 17 points. Jervay Green added 16, Thorir Thorbjarnarson had 14, and Kevin Cross scored 10 for the Huskers, who have lost 16 straight games and will be the bottom seed in this week's Big Ten Tournament.
''The beauty of this postseason right now is whatever happened during the regular season, it's over,'' Nebraska coach Fred Hoiberg said. ''We're all zero and zero. It's a fun time of year to get to this point and hopefully go out and play well.''
The Gophers have to win at least three games at the Big Ten Tournament to ensure a .500 record required for NIT eligibility.
That means the game was likely the final one at home for Oturu. The 6-foot-10 sophomore and Twin Cities native is expected to declare himself eligible for the NBA Draft, where some services have him ranked as a top-10 pick. He's averaging 20.3 points and leads the Big Ten with 11.6 rebounds per game.
Oturu put his skills on display during a 14-2 run late in the first half that helped Minnesota build a 52-37 lead at the break. After hitting a pair of free throws, he threw down a dunk on a breakaway and then hit a long jump shot for six straight points.
The Gophers hit 10 of their last 14 shots of the first half as they pulled away from Nebraska. Demir hit three straight buckets from inside to start the second half.
BOARD WORK
Oturu's Big Ten rebounding title makes it three straight years that a Minnesota player has been the conference's top rebounder. Former Gophers forward Jordan Murphy led the Big Ten in each of the previous two seasons.
TAKING CARE
Nebraska turned the ball over 42 times in their previous two games, but the Huskers took much better care of the ball on Sunday. They had just three turnovers in the first half and 11 total.
EMPTY THE BENCH
All 13 players who dressed for Minnesota played and scored on Senior Day. The Gophers went over 100 points on a dunk by freshman big man Sam Freeman, just his second basket of the season. And senior guard Brady Rudrud nailed a 3-pointer, his first since his freshman year.
RECORD TALK
Pitino put Kalscheur back into the game with 7:38 to play when an assistant pointed out that the sophomore guard was one 3-pointer shy of tying the single-game school record. Kalscheur hit his next shot from beyond the arc and promptly returned to the bench with the game in hand.
When asked if he considered letting Kalscheur try to break the mark, Pitino cited sportsmanship and injury concerns for keeping him on the bench.
''He tied the record. That's pretty good, right?,'' Pitino said with a grin. ''I mean, let's not get greedy.''
BIG PICTURE
Nebraska: The Huskers played without guards Cam Mack and Dachon Burke, who coach Fred Hoiberg suspended indefinitely on Saturday for violating team rules. The two guards combined for 24.2 points and 7.9 rebounds per game this year, while Mack led the team with 6.4 assists per game.
Minnesota: The Gophers had lost three straight home games, giving away big leads down the stretch in each of them. They made sure that didn't happen again, thanks in large part to their long-distance shooting. Minnesota topped 100 points for the first time since Nov. 6, 2018.
UP NEXT
Nebraska: The 14th-seeded Cornhuskers will face No. 11 Indiana in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament on Wednesday night in Indianapolis. Nebraska lost both games to Indiana this season, including a six-point overtime defeat on the road on Dec. 13. ''It seems like 20 years ago, but it was our first game of the conference season back in December and we played great,'' Hoiberg said. ''We had a chance to win that game. We took them to overtime, but they have great length and it's a team that's athletic. We have to do a good job on the glass.''
Minnesota: Seeded 12th in the Big Ten tourney, the Gophers will take on 13th-seeded Northwestern in the first game on Wednesday evening. Minnesota swept a pair of games against the Wildcats this season, winning by an average of 17.5 points.
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1st Half
NEB
Cornhuskers
37
MINN
Golden Gophers
52
Time
Team
Play
Score
20:00
Jumpball received by Minnesota
19:45
Gabe Kalscheur missed jump shot
19:43
Defensive rebound by Haanif Cheatham
19:33
+2
Haanif Cheatham made jump shot
2-0
19:17
Traveling violation turnover on Alihan Demir
18:58
Haanif Cheatham missed running Jump Shot
18:56
Defensive rebound by Alihan Demir
18:47
Lost ball turnover on Daniel Oturu, stolen by Haanif Cheatham
18:38
+2
Haanif Cheatham made jump shot
4-0
18:27
Lost ball turnover on Marcus Carr, stolen by Haanif Cheatham
18:21
+2
Charlie Easley made reverse layup, assist by Haanif Cheatham
6-0
17:56
+2
Michael Hurt made layup, assist by Alihan Demir
6-2
17:43
Haanif Cheatham missed driving layup
17:41
Defensive rebound by Gabe Kalscheur
17:31
Marcus Carr missed layup
17:29
Offensive rebound by Alihan Demir
17:29
+2
Alihan Demir made dunk
6-4
17:29
Shooting foul on Thorir Thorbjarnarson
17:29
+1
Alihan Demir made free throw
6-5
17:15
+2
Yvan Ouedraogo made layup
8-5
17:01
+3
Michael Hurt made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Marcus Carr
8-8
16:45
Jervay Green missed 3-pt. jump shot
16:43
Offensive rebound by Charlie Easley
16:36
+2
Charlie Easley made floating jump shot
10-8
16:20
Daniel Oturu missed turnaround jump shot
16:18
Defensive rebound by Nebraska
16:07
Haanif Cheatham missed layup, blocked by Gabe Kalscheur
16:05
Defensive rebound by Gabe Kalscheur
15:58
+3
Marcus Carr made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Michael Hurt
10-11
15:32
Thorir Thorbjarnarson missed 3-pt. jump shot
15:30
Defensive rebound by Michael Hurt
15:22
+2
Gabe Kalscheur made jump shot, assist by Marcus Carr
10-13
15:07
Commercial timeout called
15:00
Charlie Easley missed 3-pt. jump shot
14:58
Defensive rebound by Daniel Oturu
14:28
+2
Marcus Carr made floating jump shot, assist by Payton Willis
10-15
14:10
Thorir Thorbjarnarson missed floating jump shot
14:08
Defensive rebound by Michael Hurt
14:02
Payton Willis missed 3-pt. jump shot
14:00
Defensive rebound by Charlie Easley
13:53
+2
Yvan Ouedraogo made layup, assist by Jervay Green
12-15
13:39
Isaiah Ihnen missed 3-pt. jump shot
13:37
Defensive rebound by Nebraska
13:15
+3
Kevin Cross made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Jervay Green
15-15
12:52
+3
Payton Willis made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Marcus Carr
15-18
12:38
Thorir Thorbjarnarson missed layup, blocked by Isaiah Ihnen
12:36
Offensive rebound by Haanif Cheatham
12:34
+3
Haanif Cheatham made 3-pt. jump shot
18-18
12:06
Gabe Kalscheur missed 3-pt. jump shot
12:04
Offensive rebound by Jarvis Omersa
11:56
+2
Isaiah Ihnen made layup, assist by Jarvis Omersa
18-20
11:51
Personal foul on Jarvis Omersa
11:51
Commercial timeout called
11:42
Jervay Green missed layup
11:40
Defensive rebound by Jarvis Omersa
11:29
+3
Payton Willis made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Isaiah Ihnen
18-23
11:06
+2
Jervay Green made finger-roll layup, assist by Kevin Cross
20-23
10:56
Offensive foul on Jarvis Omersa
10:56
Turnover on Jarvis Omersa
10:47
+2
Kevin Cross made driving layup, assist by Jervay Green
22-23
10:31
+2
Isaiah Ihnen made fade-away jump shot, assist by Gabe Kalscheur
22-25
10:16
Kevin Cross missed 3-pt. jump shot
10:14
Defensive rebound by Gabe Kalscheur
10:07
Daniel Oturu missed jump shot
10:05
Defensive rebound by Haanif Cheatham
9:51
Haanif Cheatham missed floating jump shot
9:49
Defensive rebound by Daniel Oturu
9:41
Personal foul on Kevin Cross
9:26
Marcus Carr missed jump shot
9:24
Offensive rebound by Daniel Oturu
9:20
+2
Daniel Oturu made dunk
22-27
9:06
Kevin Cross missed layup
9:04
Offensive rebound by Kevin Cross
9:04
Kevin Cross missed layup, blocked by Daniel Oturu
9:02
Offensive rebound by Nebraska
8:54
Haanif Cheatham missed floating jump shot
8:52
Offensive rebound by Akol Arop
8:43
Charlie Easley missed layup
8:41
Defensive rebound by Isaiah Ihnen
8:34
Traveling violation turnover on Isaiah Ihnen
8:28
Offensive foul on Charlie Easley
8:28
Turnover on Charlie Easley
8:07
+2
Alihan Demir made layup
22-29
7:40
Traveling violation turnover on Kevin Cross
7:40
Commercial timeout called
7:30
Personal foul on Yvan Ouedraogo
7:09
Shot clock violation turnover on Minnesota
6:54
Yvan Ouedraogo missed layup, blocked by Payton Willis
6:52
Defensive rebound by Tre' Williams
6:40
Gabe Kalscheur missed 3-pt. jump shot
6:38
Offensive rebound by Payton Willis
6:33
Offensive foul on Daniel Oturu
6:33
Turnover on Daniel Oturu
6:21
+2
Jervay Green made layup
24-29
6:21
Shooting foul on Marcus Carr
6:21
+1
Jervay Green made free throw
25-29
6:09
Shooting foul on Akol Arop
6:09
+1
Alihan Demir made 1st of 2 free throws
25-30
6:09
+1
Alihan Demir made 2nd of 2 free throws
25-31
5:46
Jervay Green missed 3-pt. jump shot
5:44
Defensive rebound by Minnesota
5:32
+2
Marcus Carr made floating jump shot
25-33
5:15
+2
Thorir Thorbjarnarson made floating jump shot
27-33
5:02
+3
Marcus Carr made 3-pt. jump shot
27-36
4:47
Haanif Cheatham missed layup
4:45
Offensive rebound by Nebraska
4:43
+2
Haanif Cheatham made layup
29-36
4:26
+2
Alihan Demir made reverse layup, assist by Tre' Williams
29-38
4:13
Jervay Green missed finger-roll layup
4:11
Defensive rebound by Alihan Demir
4:05
+3
Gabe Kalscheur made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Marcus Carr
29-41
4:04
30-second timeout called
4:04
Commercial timeout called
3:45
+2
Haanif Cheatham made floating jump shot, assist by Kevin Cross
31-41
3:35
Tre' Williams missed 3-pt. jump shot
3:33
Defensive rebound by Jervay Green
3:26
Haanif Cheatham missed 3-pt. jump shot
3:24
Defensive rebound by Alihan Demir
3:05
Daniel Oturu missed jump shot
3:03
Defensive rebound by Jervay Green
2:54
Thorir Thorbjarnarson missed 3-pt. jump shot
2:52
Offensive rebound by Charlie Easley
2:52
Personal foul on Marcus Carr
2:41
Kevin Cross missed 3-pt. jump shot
2:39
Defensive rebound by Payton Willis
2:26
Shooting foul on Charlie Easley
2:27
+1
Daniel Oturu made 1st of 2 free throws
31-42
2:27
+1
Daniel Oturu made 2nd of 2 free throws
31-43
2:12
Bad pass turnover on Jervay Green, stolen by Marcus Carr
2:05
+2
Daniel Oturu made dunk, assist by Payton Willis
31-45
1:56
Kevin Cross missed driving layup
1:54
Defensive rebound by Minnesota
1:40
+2
Daniel Oturu made jump shot, assist by Michael Hurt
31-47
1:26
Haanif Cheatham missed floating jump shot
1:24
Defensive rebound by Isaiah Ihnen
1:17
+3
Isaiah Ihnen made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Marcus Carr
31-50
1:01
Kevin Cross missed 3-pt. jump shot
59.0
Offensive rebound by Jervay Green
54.0
+2
Thorir Thorbjarnarson made finger-roll layup, assist by Charlie Easley
33-50
56.0
Shooting foul on Isaiah Ihnen
56.0
+1
Thorir Thorbjarnarson made free throw
34-50
50.0
Payton Willis missed 3-pt. jump shot
48.0
Defensive rebound by Jervay Green
43.0
Haanif Cheatham missed layup
41.0
Offensive rebound by Yvan Ouedraogo
41.0
Shooting foul on Daniel Oturu
42.0
30-second timeout called
42.0
Yvan Ouedraogo missed 1st of 2 free throws
42.0
+1
Yvan Ouedraogo made 2nd of 2 free throws
35-50
14.0
+2
Daniel Oturu made layup, assist by Michael Hurt
35-52
1.0
+2
Jervay Green made driving layup
37-52
0.0
End of period
2nd Half
NEB
Cornhuskers
38
MINN
Golden Gophers
55
Time
Team
Play
Score
19:45
Thorir Thorbjarnarson missed 3-pt. jump shot
19:43
Defensive rebound by Payton Willis
19:36
+2
Alihan Demir made layup, assist by Gabe Kalscheur
37-54
19:25
Lost ball turnover on Jervay Green, stolen by Alihan Demir
19:19
+2
Alihan Demir made layup, assist by Marcus Carr
37-56
19:06
Lost ball turnover on Yvan Ouedraogo, stolen by Daniel Oturu
18:57
Alihan Demir missed layup
18:55
Offensive rebound by Daniel Oturu
18:50
Payton Willis missed 3-pt. jump shot
18:48
Offensive rebound by Alihan Demir
18:50
+2
Alihan Demir made dunk
37-58
18:50
30-second timeout called
18:50
Commercial timeout called
18:32
Shooting foul on Alihan Demir
18:32
+1
Thorir Thorbjarnarson made 1st of 2 free throws
38-58
18:32
+1
Thorir Thorbjarnarson made 2nd of 2 free throws
39-58
18:17
+3
Gabe Kalscheur made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Marcus Carr
39-61
17:57
Out of bounds turnover on Haanif Cheatham
17:43
Alihan Demir missed 3-pt. jump shot
17:41
Defensive rebound by Yvan Ouedraogo
17:30
Yvan Ouedraogo missed hook shot
17:28
Defensive rebound by Alihan Demir
17:08
+3
Marcus Carr made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Alihan Demir
39-64
16:54
Haanif Cheatham missed floating jump shot
16:52
Defensive rebound by Alihan Demir
16:45
Payton Willis missed 3-pt. jump shot
16:43
Defensive rebound by Thorir Thorbjarnarson
16:36
+2
Jervay Green made layup, assist by Thorir Thorbjarnarson
41-64
16:09
Out of bounds turnover on Daniel Oturu
15:59
Commercial timeout called
15:53
+2
Jervay Green made driving layup
43-64
15:37
Michael Hurt missed 3-pt. jump shot
15:28
Offensive rebound by Daniel Oturu
15:20
+3
Gabe Kalscheur made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Michael Hurt
43-67
15:07
Jervay Green missed 3-pt. jump shot
15:05
Defensive rebound by Daniel Oturu
14:55
Isaiah Ihnen missed 3-pt. jump shot
14:53
Defensive rebound by Nebraska
14:38
Bad pass turnover on Haanif Cheatham
14:19
Marcus Carr missed 3-pt. jump shot
14:17
Offensive rebound by Jarvis Omersa
14:17
Personal foul on Akol Arop
14:17
Gabe Kalscheur missed 3-pt. jump shot
14:15
Offensive rebound by Marcus Carr
13:59
Marcus Carr missed driving layup
13:57
Offensive rebound by Jarvis Omersa
13:58
Shooting foul on Kevin Cross
13:58
Jarvis Omersa missed 1st of 2 free throws
13:58
Jarvis Omersa missed 2nd of 2 free throws
13:58
Defensive rebound by Kevin Cross
13:49
+2
Jervay Green made finger-roll layup, assist by Haanif Cheatham
45-67
13:31
+3
Gabe Kalscheur made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Marcus Carr
45-70
13:16
+3
Thorir Thorbjarnarson made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Kevin Cross
48-70
12:54
+3
Gabe Kalscheur made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Michael Hurt
48-73
12:37
Kevin Cross missed floating jump shot
12:35
Defensive rebound by Gabe Kalscheur
12:28
+2
Jarvis Omersa made layup, assist by Marcus Carr
48-75
12:20
30-second timeout called
12:20
Commercial timeout called
12:01
Charlie Easley missed floating jump shot, blocked by Isaiah Ihnen
11:59
Offensive rebound by Charlie Easley
11:59
Shooting foul on Isaiah Ihnen
11:59
+1
Charlie Easley made 1st of 2 free throws
49-75
11:59
+1
Charlie Easley made 2nd of 2 free throws
50-75
11:44
Payton Willis missed jump shot
11:42
Offensive rebound by Jarvis Omersa
11:42
Personal foul on Kevin Cross
11:35
Alihan Demir missed layup
11:33
Defensive rebound by Charlie Easley
11:25
Kevin Cross missed layup, blocked by Jarvis Omersa
11:23
Offensive rebound by Kevin Cross
11:20
+2
Kevin Cross made layup
52-75
11:05
Traveling violation turnover on Michael Hurt
10:53
Thorir Thorbjarnarson missed 3-pt. jump shot
10:51
Defensive rebound by Jarvis Omersa
10:42
+3
Gabe Kalscheur made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Michael Hurt
52-78
10:26
Bad pass turnover on Kevin Cross, stolen by Jarvis Omersa
10:20
Michael Hurt missed dunk
10:18
Offensive rebound by Alihan Demir
10:18
Alihan Demir missed layup
10:16
Defensive rebound by Akol Arop
10:10
Charlie Easley missed layup, blocked by Jarvis Omersa
10:08
Offensive rebound by Nebraska
10:07
+3
Akol Arop made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Haanif Cheatham
55-78
9:51
+3
Gabe Kalscheur made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Marcus Carr
55-81
9:31
+2
Thorir Thorbjarnarson made driving layup, assist by Haanif Cheatham
57-81
9:12
+3
Marcus Carr made 3-pt. jump shot
57-84
9:05
Kevin Cross missed 3-pt. jump shot
9:03
Offensive rebound by Haanif Cheatham
9:03
Personal foul on Marcus Carr
8:59
+2
Haanif Cheatham made driving layup
59-84
8:36
+2
Alihan Demir made layup, assist by Marcus Carr
59-86
8:22
Haanif Cheatham missed floating jump shot
8:20
Defensive rebound by Alihan Demir
8:15
Lost ball turnover on Michael Hurt, stolen by Akol Arop
8:06
Kevin Cross missed layup
8:04
Defensive rebound by Marcus Carr
7:53
Shooting foul on Kevin Cross
7:53
Commercial timeout called
7:53
Tre' Williams missed 1st of 2 free throws
7:53
+1
Tre' Williams made 2nd of 2 free throws
59-87
7:38
Shooting foul on Jarvis Omersa
7:38
+1
Thorir Thorbjarnarson made 1st of 2 free throws
60-87
7:38
+1
Thorir Thorbjarnarson made 2nd of 2 free throws
61-87
7:22
Tre' Williams missed driving layup
7:20
Defensive rebound by Jervay Green
7:08
Haanif Cheatham missed 3-pt. jump shot
7:06
Defensive rebound by Alihan Demir
6:59
+2
Marcus Carr made driving layup
61-89
6:59
Shooting foul on Thorir Thorbjarnarson
6:59
Marcus Carr missed free throw
6:59
Defensive rebound by Thorir Thorbjarnarson
6:44
Jervay Green missed driving layup
6:42
Offensive rebound by Yvan Ouedraogo
6:44
Shooting foul on Marcus Carr
6:44
Yvan Ouedraogo missed 1st of 2 free throws
6:44
+1
Yvan Ouedraogo made 2nd of 2 free throws
62-89
6:34
+3
Gabe Kalscheur made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Sam Freeman
62-92
6:13
Jervay Green missed floating jump shot
6:11
Defensive rebound by Marcus Carr
5:59
+2
Alihan Demir made layup, assist by Tre' Williams
62-94
5:48
Personal foul on Tre' Williams
5:46
Shooting foul on Sam Freeman
5:46
+1
Yvan Ouedraogo made 1st of 2 free throws
63-94
5:46
+1
Yvan Ouedraogo made 2nd of 2 free throws
64-94
5:24
Tre' Williams missed 3-pt. jump shot
5:22
Defensive rebound by Yvan Ouedraogo
5:16
Jervay Green missed layup
5:14
Defensive rebound by Sam Freeman
5:14
Lost ball turnover on Sam Freeman, stolen by Jervay Green
5:14
Personal foul on Sam Freeman
5:14
Jervay Green missed free throw
5:14
Defensive rebound by Tre' Williams
4:57
Brady Rudrud missed 3-pt. jump shot
4:55
Defensive rebound by Haanif Cheatham
4:50
+2
Haanif Cheatham made driving layup
66-94
4:28
Lost ball turnover on Brady Rudrud
4:14
Shooting foul on Brady Rudrud
4:14
+1
Jervay Green made 1st of 2 free throws
67-94
4:14
+1
Jervay Green made 2nd of 2 free throws
68-94
3:58
+3
Brady Rudrud made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Michael Hurt
68-97
3:38
Lost ball turnover on Jervay Green, stolen by Sam Freeman
3:32
Lost ball turnover on Sam Freeman, stolen by Haanif Cheatham
3:29
+2
Haanif Cheatham made floating jump shot
70-97
3:17
Brady Rudrud missed 3-pt. jump shot
3:15
Defensive rebound by Nebraska
3:15
Commercial timeout called
3:09
Bad pass turnover on Haanif Cheatham
2:58
+2
Isaiah Ihnen made jump shot, assist by Brady Rudrud
70-99
2:47
Haanif Cheatham missed driving layup
2:45
Defensive rebound by Isaiah Ihnen
2:41
+2
Sam Freeman made dunk, assist by Brady Rudrud
70-101
2:31
Bad pass turnover on Jervay Green
2:10
Tre' Williams missed turnaround jump shot
2:08
Defensive rebound by Nebraska
1:56
+2
Akol Arop made driving layup
72-101
1:43
+3
Bryan Greenlee made 3-pt. jump shot
72-104
1:26
Jervay Green missed 3-pt. jump shot
1:24
Defensive rebound by Bryan Greenlee
1:09
+2
Tre' Williams made driving layup, assist by Bryan Greenlee