Notes from tonight's win over Bucknell:

  • The Gophers went on a 20-4 run late in the second half to regain the lead and secure a 70-58 win.
  • The second team showed improvement Friday, and several players were key off the bench. Julian Welch, who played at point and at shooting guard, had two key steals for the Gophers, and – though he had three turnovers – pushed the team defensively. Chip Armelin made some big shots again as well.
  • Gophers defense looked much improved, particularly in the second half, when Bucknell shot just 22.7 percent from the field. Bucknell star center Mike Muscala was held to just 12 points, and was aptly guarded all night by Ralph Sampson III, and perhaps most impressively by Elliott Eliason.
  • The Gophers still struggled with shooting – from all over the court. They missed shots down low, they went 3-for-15 from three-point range and shot 65.7 percent from the free-throw line.
  • Bucknell hit nearly 67 percent of its free throws in the first half. They hit 30 percent in the second.
  • The Gophers had their fewest number of turnovers so far, with 10.
  • Sampson led the team in assists, with 6.