Dec. 28, 2007

LAS VEGAS, Nev. - Minnesota capitalized on Nicholls' sloppy play on Friday afternoon in the Thomas and Mack Center by defeating the Colonels 77-32 in the opening game of the Duel in the Desert Tournament.

Nicholls committed a season worst 30 turnovers that led to 30 Minnesota points as the Golden Gophers never trailed in the contest. For the contest, Nicholls shot 25 percent (11-of-44) from field goal range, 19 percent (4-of-21) from three-point land, and 50 percent (6-of-12) from the free throw line, while the Golden Gophers finished the game with a 53.7 percent (29-of-54) mark from the floor, 38.9 percent (7-of-18) from three-point range, and 75 percent (12-of-16) from the charity strip.

Minnesota had four players in double figures with Dan Coleman leading the way with 14, while Lawrence McKenzie and Blake Hoffarber added 13 each. Lawrence Westbrook chipped in 11 of his own to round out the Golden Gophers double-figure scorers. Nicholls only had one player to cross the decade line in the loss with Michael Czepil doing the honor with 10.

"We didn't play our game tonight," said head coach J.P. Piper. "Minnesota has a good team, and they are well coached. We are going to have to move on quickly from this one."

The Colonels (4-9) shot themselves in the foot throughout the first half as they committed a season worst 14 first half turnovers, which included four miscues on their first five offensive possessions. Czepil got the Colonels on the board at the 15:54 mark, and although junior Ryan Bathie added a pair of free throws at the 14:30 point to make it a four point, 9-5, deficit, Nicholls failed to score for the next five minutes. During that five minutes, Minnesota (9-1) went on a 16-0 run on their way to padding their lead. The Golden Gophers were on a tear in the first period as they headed to the break shooting 60.7 percent (17-of-28) from the floor, while the Colonels only mustered a 20.8 percent (5-of-24) mark.

The second half was not that kind to the Colonels either with Nicholls only tallying 17 points, while Minnesota put 36 on the scoreboard. For the second half, Nicholls shot 30 percent (6-of-20) from the floor and 12.5 percent (1-of-8) from behind the arc, while Minnesota shot 46.2 percent (12-of-26) from field goal range and 40 percent (4-of-10) from three-point territory.

The 32-points scored was the second lowest point total for Nicholls in a game since going Division I in the 1980-81 season. The lowest point total ever in a Nicholls contest was 24 in a loss at LSU under then head coach Ricky Blanton in the 2002-03 season.

Nicholls will be back in action tomorrow against the UNLV Runnin' Rebels in the Duel in the Desert Tournament at 9:30 p.m. local time. Pre-game will air at 9:15 p.m. on 105.9 FM KBZE and on 640 AM KTIB. The game can also be heard on the internet at www.kbze.com, and be followed live statistically on www.geauxcolonels.com.

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