gophers gameday

7:30 P.M. VS. MARYLAND-BALTIMORE COUNTY • WILLIAMS ARENA • PAY-PER-VIEW: BTN PLUS (1500-AM)

Gophers at a glance: The competition has dropped off dramatically since the opener vs. Louisville, and correspondingly, the Gophers' play has picked up. Thursday, the Gophers (2-1) crushed NCAA Division II Franklin Pierce 109-57, the most points they have scored in a game since 1996. They have run their way to at least 76 possessions in every game, and they have posted at least 15 steals and forced at least 24 turnovers in the past two. … Guards Andre Hollins, DeAndre Mathieu, Nate Mason and Daquein McNeil have combined for 43 percent of the team's rebounds. Freshman Mason has scored 35 points in 63 minutes. … This is the Gophers' third game in five days.

UMBC at a glance: This could be a blowout at the Barn, as the Retrievers (0-2) are missing their best player, sophomore point guard point Rodney Elliott, who is out indefinitely because of a shoulder injury. The team that remains isn't pretty. Against Loyola (Md.) on Wednesday, UMBC was held to 38 points on 26.4 percent shooting. The Retrievers attempted 21 three-pointers but made just two while posting 19 turnovers in a 45-38 loss. Their other game was a 74-57 loss at Akron. … Guard Wayne Sparrow and forward Cody Joyce have combined to score 50.5 percent of UMBC's points in the two games.

AMELIA RAYNO