Gophers settle a score in overtime victory over Illini

So much of it felt the same.

The way the Gophers men's basketball team struggled to execute in the final minutes. The way regulation wasn't enough to decide the score.

But given a second chance against a team that beat them in double overtime a month ago, the Gophers made the statement that they are not the same team that they were in the Big Ten opener.

Instead, the Gophers reached down and found the gritty determination they lacked the first time around, tying the score on a last-second three-point play and finishing off Illinois in overtime to grab their fourth victory in five games, 77-72, at Williams Arena on Saturday night.

With five seconds left in regulation and the Gophers (16-6, 4-5 Big Ten) down by three, Austin Hollins -- who finished with 14 points and four rebounds -- surprisingly did not try a three and instead drove to the basket -- just what Illinois (15-6, 4-4) should have wanted. But he hit the layup and was shockingly fouled by Meyers Leonard. Hollins made the free throw to tie it at 64 and send the game to overtime.

Doubly painful for Illinois was that Leonard, who was instrumental in the Illini comeback, fouled out on the play.

"When I came off the handle, I could have shot the three -- I knew that's what they wanted me to do, but I drove to the basket so I knew I'd have to try to get a foul," Hollins said. "I was just happy to hear that whistle, and then with the ball rolling around the rim, I was just happy to see it go in."

Before that, it looked as though it would be déjà vu.

Buoyed by an energized bench, the Gophers built a strong lead midway through the second half in front of the first announced sellout crowd (14,625) of the season.

But with 10 minutes left, Brandon Paul (a game-high 28 points) came alive and the Illini went on an 11-0 run -- a stretch in which the Gophers hit just two of seven free throws -- to take their first lead of the half, 48-46.

But with the Gophers' backs against a wall, the Hollinses caught fire.

Austin Hollins scored the final five points in regulation and hit consecutive free throws to start overtime.

"It just felt good," the grinning freshman said. "I've been waiting on this and just working hard in practice."

The Gophers managed the victory despite getting just 13 combined points from Rodney Williams (six), Ralph Sampson III (five) and Julian Welch (two).

The bench scored 20 of the Gophers' 30 first-half points, including eight from Chip Armelin, who finished with 14 and three three-pointers.

"What can I say about him? He was probably player of the game," coach Tubby Smith said.