Close, but no cigar: The Gophers in close losses

How the Gophers lost the handle on five close games this Big Ten season:

Dec. 27 vs. Michigan State: 4:41 to play, Michigan State leads 60-59.

Moment: Reggie Lynch fouls out for the first time this season (four more would follow), while Nick Ward converts a three-point play to take the lead. Ward scores six of his 22 points in the last 4:41.

Final: 75-74 Michigan St. (OT)

Jan. 14 at Penn State: 1:26 to play, Gophers lead 50-48.

Moment: Mike Watkins hits two free throws to tie the score at 50-50 after being fouled on a rebound, and the Gophers' Amir Coffey follows by missing a layup.

Final: 52-50 Penn State

Moment: Ethan Happ had 20 points in second half, but he made only one of two free throws to keep the score tied 64-64. The Gophers missed four consecutive shots and had four turnovers before Akeem Springs' three-pointer sent it into overtime, and Springs' three at the end of OT missed.

Final: 78-76 Wisconsin (OT)

Jan. 25 at Ohio State: 2:13 to play, Ohio State leads 70-68.

Moment: Nate Mason cuts what was a 17-point deficit at one point to two with a pair of free throws late, but the Gophers committed two turnovers and missed four shots in the final 1:22.

Final: 78-72 Ohio State

Moment: Jordan Murphy hits one of two free throws for a two-point lead at Williams Arena, but the Gophers get outscored 16-7 in the final 3:09 for a fifth consecutive loss.

Final: 85-78 Maryland