By Paul Casey Gotham
ORLANDO, FL — If Friday’s game is a sign of things to come, Minnesota Golden Gopher fans might build a resume of virtues before this season is done.
Julian Welch and Chip Armelin provided a one-two punch off the bench as the Golden Gophers came from behind to defeat the Indian State Sycamores 76-69 in the second round of the 2011 Old Spice Classic at the ESPN Wide World of Sports.
The backcourt tandem tallied nine of Minnesota’s 13 points in the game’s decisive final two minutes.
In a back-and-forth affair that 13 lead changes and three ties, Armelin drove across the lane from left to right and finished off the glass for a 67-66 edge, and the Gophers never surrendered the lead from there.
Welch drew contact late in the shot clock on the next possession and cashed in a pair from the line.
The late lead forced the Sycamores to foul, and Armelin took advantage of the charity with another two for a 71-66.
“They did an outstanding job,” Minnesota head coach, Tubby Smith said of Armelin and Welch. “We’re getting a lot of balance. When we keep pressure on people, whether it’s in the half court or on defense, we’re trying to wear people down. It catches up with people.”
Thursday’s leader, Trevor Mbakwe was fouled on a rebound and hit both before Welch and Armelin accounted for three more to seal the victory.
The Sycamores showed no sign of fatigue when they took a seven-point lead in the first half. Jordan Printy and R.J. Mahurin sparked an aerial attack that put the Gophers on their heels.
Printy pulled up in transition and canned his first three of the half giving the Sycamores a 30-29 edge.
After a timeout, Carl Richard stepped in a passing lane for a steal, and Printy connected again from long range. The 6’4″ put it to the floor next time down and put Joe Coleman on his hip for a layup.
Mahurin hit when Jake Odum sliced through the lane and before falling out of bounds shoveled a sidearm pass to the corner for the catch-and-shoot trey.
Printy landed his third trifecta when he relocated after passing on the perimeter with Richard.
Indiana State’s lead climbed to nine in the second half. Myles Walker finished in the lane with his left. Dwayne Lathan and Odum followed with a pair each from the stripe, and ISU led 58-49.
Using a variety of defensive looks the Gophers whittled away at the lead.
Mbakwe gathered a loose ball and led Austin Hollins into the open on a three-on-one break that Welch ended with the basket.
Minnesota took a 63-62 advantage when Welch went end-to-end for a layup.
The Sycamores briefly reclaimed the lead when Steve McWhorter cut through the lane for a layup.
Minnesota responded. Andre Hollins and Mbakwe ran a screen and roll with Mbakwe throwing down a thunderous dunk.
The Sycamores never reclaimed the lead.
Welch had a game-high 17 points.
“I don’t have a problem coming off the bench,” Welch said. “As long as we’re winning. Whatever coach feels like is the best lineup.”
Andre Hollins followed with 16 and Armelin with 13.
One day after a double-double performance, Mbakwe notched nine points and nine rebounds. The Sycamore defense collapsed in the lane to neutralize the 6’8″ forward.
“I know that’s how teams are going to play us,” Mbakwe said. “They’re going to make us make shots. Julian and those guys did a good job knocking down outside shots.”
Minnesota grabbed 38 rebounds including 13 on the offensive end to Indiana State’s 13.
The Golden Gophers will play the winner of the Dayton/Fairfield matchup in Sunday night’s championship game.
Leave a Reply